USA stung by Stingers in Perth

The Aussie Stingers have started the Tri Nations Test Match Series with a thrilling penalty shoot out win against Olympic rivals USA in Perth.

In front of a passionate home crowd at Perth’s High Performance Centre, the Stingers were excited to play their first official game on home soil since the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Olympic silver medalist Alice Williams was the first to convert, with a penalty in the opening minutes.

Despite two goals in response from the USA, Williams found the back of the cage in the dying seconds of the first quarter to level the scores 2-2 at quarter time.

The Aussies added another two goals to their haul in the second quarter, courtesy of Abby Andrews and New South Wales Institute of Spot (NSWIS) scholarship holder, Olivia Mitchell.

In the third, a buzzer beater goal from Dani Jackovich (NSWIS) put the Aussies back in it, trailing by one at the three-quarter time break.

Williams scored another in the fourth quarter, with Jackovich again scoring in the final minutes to draw the scores 8-8 at the end of regular time.

In penalties, huge saves in goals from goalkeepers Gabi Palm and Gen Longman (NSWIS) kept the Aussies in it, and with Williams the last shooter, she slotted it into the back of the net to secure the win for the Aussies.

For NSWIS athlete Bronte Halligan (pictured), it was a case of deja vu, and she was proud her team were able to secure the win.

“An 8-8 score and then to go into penalties…the irony wasn’t lost on me. Almost 12 months ago we had the exact same score in the semi final against them at the Olympics,” Halligan said.

“It was just a true dedication to the hard work the girls have put in all year, and it was really exciting for our first official home game (this cycle) on home soil to come up with a big win in penalties.”

Williams said that she enjoyed the challenge, and seeing her teammates rise to the occasion.

“That was a really good game. The US is always really hard and a tough challenge for us, but I love the style of water polo that we played,” Williams said.

“I always think there’s room to improve. Honestly, I’m not sure my stats were, but the girls really stepped up as well in moments where we needed them.”