World Championships: U.S. Routs China, Hungary Edges Greece to Open Women’s Water Polo
The U.S. women’s water polo team routed China, 15-7, on Thursday to open the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. Hungary edged Greece, 10-9, in the best game of a slate of mostly blowouts to start proceedings at the OCBC Aquatic Centre.
China kept it close with the U.S., down just three at halftime, before a 6-1 edge for the U.S. in the third quarter blew the game open. Emma Lineback scored two of her three goals in the third quarter. Emily Ausmus tallied a hat trick, Jenna Flynn had two goals and two assists, and Ryann Neushul and Ava Stryker scored twice apiece. Amanda Longan made 15 saves in goal, limiting China to 7-for-36 shooting (19 percent). The Americans are chasing their eighth world title.
Hungary used a 4-0 edge in the third quarter to top Greece. Three goals by Foteini Tricha, who scored six times overall, tied the game in the fourth quarter. But a power-play tally by Natasa Rybanska with 1:11 left and Boglarka Neszmely’s 12th save of the game gave Hungary the win.
Rybanska scored three times, and Krisztina Garda paired two goals with two assists for Hungary.
Reigning Olympic champion Spain jumped out to a 9-1 lead on South Africa on the way to a 23-4 win. Irene Gonzalez led the way with five goals. Elena Ruiz tallied a hat trick. Adriana Ruiz orchestrated the attack with two goals and six assists, and Bea Ortiz paired two goals with three assists.
The Netherlands needed just 37 shots to register a 25-6 win over Argentina. Hat tricks came from Lieke Rogge, Kitty-Lynn Joustra, Fleurian Bosveld and Simone van de Kraats. Bente Rogge paired two goals with five assists, and Sabrina van der Sloot added two and four.
Olympic silver medalist Australia romped to a 34-2 victory over Singapore behind five goals from Alice Williams. Olivia Mitchell, Tilly Kearns and Tenealle Fasala were each 4-for-4 shooting.
Italy navigated a relatively competitive game, overcoming a two-goal halftime deficit with 10 second-half goals to edge New Zealand, 14-9. Sofia Giustini, Chiara Ranalli and Agnese Cocchiere scored three times each. Aurora Giuseppina Condorelli made 10 saves. Aggie Weston led New Zealand with two goals.
Great Britain bested France, 12-9, with an 8-2 edge in the middle quarters. Katie Brown powered Britain with three goals and four assists, and Lily Turner added three goals. Ema Vernoux’s four goals led France.
Japan rode an 11-goal third-quarter to a 25-12 win over Croatia. Yumi Arima scored seven times, and Eruna Ura and Fuka Nishiyama tallied four goals and two assists each.
