Stingers take silver in New Zealand

The Australian women’s water polo team has taken silver at the Intercontinental Cup in New Zealand following a tight 10-12 loss to the USA.

Featuring seven NSWIS athletes, both teams were deadlocked at 5-5 at halftime before the Americans took an 8-7 lead at three quarter time.

However the Australians rallied to score the only goal of the final quarter to lock scores at 8-8 in regulation time, with NSWIS athletes Hannah Buckling and Nicola Zagame each scoring two goals, and Holly Lincoln-Smith and Keesja Gofers each adding a single goal.

The Australians lost the ensuing penalty shootout 2-4, with the eventual score going the way of the Americans, 12-10.

Joining Buckling, Zagame, Lincoln-Smith and Gofers in the team were NSWIS athletes Lea Yanitsas, Isobel Bishop and Bronte Halligan.

The Stingers now turn their attention to the FINA World League Super Final from 9-14 June in Shanghai, China.