They received their medals at a poolside ceremony immediately after the match.
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The Americans’ offensive depth was also on display as eight different players scored Friday afternoon, with Kiley Neushul’s three goals leading the way.
But they were blown out of the water by the strength of the American team in the final two periods, and Rachel Fattal and Makenzie Fischer finished with two goals apiece to go with Neushul’s hat-trick.
In the same pool where Michael Phelps made all his magic here, the USA women’s water polo team channeled its inner goal medalist Friday.
Italy takes home the silver medal for just their second women’s water polo medal.
Earlier on Friday, Russia’s women defeated Hungary in a close penalty shootout to claim the bronze medal. The Italian team however was outmatched on both sides of the pool team and never had a chance in this gold medal match.
The U.S. stuck to what has made them successful throughout the Rio Games – find offense from anyone and everyone, and shut the other team down on defense.
Italy’s major problem was in attack, though, and no matter the amount of possession they boasted, breaking down the United States defence proved nigh impossible as they slumped to an 12-5 loss, the greatest gulf ever seen in an Olympic women’s water polo final.
Aria Fischer, 17, of Laguna Beach, became the youngest player in Olympic history to win a gold medal in the sport as scores of Laguna Beach High School water polo players and friends watched the match on a big screen on the high school pool deck.
With 12 US goals in the final, it was the highest goal count ever by a women’s water polo team in a gold medal match, and the widest margin of victory.
Johnson added a brilliant save on an Italy penalty shot and the US had a 9-4 advantage heading into the fourth.
The U.S. women were the overwhelming favorites all along – and they played like it.
A day after winning another gold in the 200 meters, Bolt will appear in what he has insisted will be his final Olympic race. “I was striving to be a member of this team”.
“What we did is really hard to do”, Steffens said.
After the final horn blew, the USA coaching staff was pulled into the water by the team, soaked from head to toe in their official team shirts and dress trousers.
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USA captain Maggie Steffens was named Most Valuable Player for the second successive Olympics after topping the overall scoring charts with 17.
