World Championships: Emily Ausmus Hat Trick Leads U.S. Women Past Netherlands
Emily Ausmus scored a hat trick Sunday as the United States took control of Group B with an 11-9 win over the Netherlands.
The U.S. led most of the way. Goals by Ausmus and Jovana Sekulic gave the U.S. a 9-5 lead late in the third quarter. When Simone van der Kraats got the Dutch within 10-8 with 6:43 left, Emma Lineback had a ready answer. Amanda Longan backed the effort with eight saves.
Lineback scored on both of her shots. Ryann Neushul added two goals.
Lieke Rogge led Netherlands with three goals. Van de Kraats scored twice, but the U.S. limited her to 2-for-8 shooting. The U.S. has six points to lead Group B, with bottom-of-the-group Argentina next in the opening round.
China got its first win with a 29-9 decision over Argentina. Sanfeng Nong led the way with four goals and five assists. Yixin Shao shot 4-for-4 and added three assists, and Shang Zhou also scored four times.
Elsewhere on the third day at the OCBC Aquatic Centre and second day of women’s play, Australia pulled out a 19-15 slugfest over Italy. Alice Williams orchestrated the onslaught with four goals and five assists. Abby Andrews added five and two, and Charlize Andrews and Tilly Kearns each tallied hat tricks.
Chiara Ranalli led Italy with six goals, as the Italians fall to third in Group A.
Hungary turned up its offense with a 33-13 win over Japan, converting its 42 shots at a 79 percent rate. Vanda Valyi couldn’t miss, shooting 6-for-6 with three assists. Kata Hajdu scored seven goals and two assists, Natasa Rybanska was a perfect 5-for-5 shooting and Rita Keszthelyi tossed in five goals and five assists.
Greece also hit 30 goals in a 31-7 thumping of Croatia. Stefania Santa lit it up with five goals and six assists, while Foteini Tricha had five and three. Vasiliki Plevritou shot 4-for-4.
Cassidy Bell made eight saves as Great Britain shut down South Africa, 12-3. Lily Turner scored four goals. Toula Falvey and Harriet Dickens contributed hat tricks.
Mariona Terre and Martina Terre combined for eight saves as Spain limited France to one goal after halftime in a 23-6 romp. Anni Espar (two goals) and Bea Ortiz (one goal) dished four assists each. Elena Ruiz scored four times.
Morgan McDowell scored eight goals on 11 shots as New Zealand navigated past Singapore, 22-7.
