Steffens gave the Americans a 3-2 lead at the end of the first quarter and the United States held off every Hungarian charge thanks to goalkeeper Ashley Johnson’s eight saves and a ideal conversion rate on all four power-play shots.
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The United States became the first women’s water polo team to successfully defend an Olympic gold medal on Friday after they decimated Italy 12-5 to retain their title at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Poked and prodded by Hungary, the US pushed back with its relentless attack.
“We dominated that game – there is no better feeling”, said K.K. Clark, one of four players on the team with UCLA ties.
On playing Italy in the final: “Besides us they have obviously been the hottest team in this tournament”.
Italy advanced by beating Russian Federation 12-9 in the other semifinal.
Roberta Bianconi added two goals as Italy improved to a ideal 5-0 in Rio de Janeiro, winning by a combined score of 51-31.
Maggie Steffens and the US women’s water polo team stood on the top step of the podium and belted out the national anthem through a mixture of smiles and tears.
It was a particularly poignant victory for US coach Adam Krikorian, who travelled home on August 3 following the death of his brother before returning ahead of the competition.
Friday’s defeat is a major blow for Hungary, who have now finished fourth in the last three consecutive Olympics and had the game in their hands before throwing a two-goal cushion to go to extra time.
But Hungary was unable to keep up with the deeper U.S.in the second half.
During a Rio Games in which the US women played six matches, they outscored their opponents by more than 2-to-1. They held the lead after 23 of their 24 quarters and trailed for a total of only 44 seconds – in the first quarter against Hungary on Wednesday. Maddie Musselman added two more in quick succession for the Americans, and the score was 7-3 with 4:16 to go. The players fought back the tears as they crushed Italy 12-5. Although Russia was able to put up nine, it was the Italian offense, led by Arianna Garibotti, that did what was needed to move on.
Said Italy coach Fabio Conti: “USA is, in this moment, a team of another universe”.
“There’s no place we’d rather be than expecting to be great”, Steffens said last month at Stanford. The Italians beat the U.S.in four sets during pool play – and the Americans haven’t lost since.
Glyzina led all scorers with five goals on eight shot attempts in regulation.
Evgeniya Ivanova and Ekaterina Lisunova each scored two goals for Russian Federation, which was a surprise 12-10 victor over Spain in the quarterfinals. Dora Antal, Anna Illes and Keszthelyi each scored two goals.
Attacker Rachel Fattal of Seal Beach scored the only second period goal for the US, which led 5-3 at halftime.
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Russian Federation again tried to cut into the lead when Anna Grineva flicked a shot in from just in front of the goal on another extra player shot with two minutes remaining.
