Indiana University Athletics
#Volos2015 Update: Canada U20 Team Earns Fourth-Place Finish
8/25/2015 4:10:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
Matthews, Myers combine for eight scores in their final tournament this summer with Team Canada
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Canadian U20 Women's National Team achieved a fourth-place finish at the 2015 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships, which concluded on Monday in Volos, Greece. Indiana sophomores Kelly Matthews and Sarah Myers contributed a combined eight goals to Canada's seven-day run, which finished with a loss to Russia in the bronze medal match.
"We made many mistakes in our game against Russia," said Canadian head coach David Paradelo. "It was a very strong tournament, small in duration, with very good games, one close to the other and we seemed tired in the end."
After beating Australia, drawing the Netherlands, and losing a close match against Italy, the Canadians faced Mexico in a playoff to determine the final entrant in the quarterfinal stage. Team Canada cruised past Mexico in a dominating 20-3 win, highlighted by an 11-1 scoring run in the first half. Matthews scored two goals in the match, and Myers added a goal to her tournament total. Six players on the Canadian squad scored multiple goals in the match.
The quarterfinal round pitted Canada against Greece, the host of the 11th iteration of the FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships. Neither team held a commanding lead in this contest, but Canada's slight advantages in the second and third quarters sealed their win over the Hellenic side. Matthews contributed one goal to Canada's 10-9 win.
The win slotted the Canadians into a semifinal matchup against Spain, one of the most consistent squads in the tournament. Canada played staunch defense against the power play, holding the Spanish team to a flawless 0-for-9 on power play opportunities. Spain's advantage occurred in the first half, where they edged Canada 5-3 in scoring. That half sealed Canada's fate, and Spain advanced to the gold medal match with an 11-9 win over Canada.
With that loss, Canada entered the bronze medal match against Russia, who fell to the United States in the semifinal round. Matthews scored one goal in the match, but Canada came out flat in the second half and fell 15-8 to the Russians at the final whistle.
Matthews had another outstanding tournament for Team Canada, netting six goals in the seven-match tournament campaign. Myers provided a strong defensive presence in Canada's rotation, and added two goals as well.
Matthews and Myers now rejoin their Indiana teammates and fellow students with the beginning of the 2015-16 academic year. The pair of Canadian sophomores competed in three international tournaments for their country over the summer break.
"We made many mistakes in our game against Russia," said Canadian head coach David Paradelo. "It was a very strong tournament, small in duration, with very good games, one close to the other and we seemed tired in the end."
After beating Australia, drawing the Netherlands, and losing a close match against Italy, the Canadians faced Mexico in a playoff to determine the final entrant in the quarterfinal stage. Team Canada cruised past Mexico in a dominating 20-3 win, highlighted by an 11-1 scoring run in the first half. Matthews scored two goals in the match, and Myers added a goal to her tournament total. Six players on the Canadian squad scored multiple goals in the match.
The quarterfinal round pitted Canada against Greece, the host of the 11th iteration of the FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships. Neither team held a commanding lead in this contest, but Canada's slight advantages in the second and third quarters sealed their win over the Hellenic side. Matthews contributed one goal to Canada's 10-9 win.
The win slotted the Canadians into a semifinal matchup against Spain, one of the most consistent squads in the tournament. Canada played staunch defense against the power play, holding the Spanish team to a flawless 0-for-9 on power play opportunities. Spain's advantage occurred in the first half, where they edged Canada 5-3 in scoring. That half sealed Canada's fate, and Spain advanced to the gold medal match with an 11-9 win over Canada.
With that loss, Canada entered the bronze medal match against Russia, who fell to the United States in the semifinal round. Matthews scored one goal in the match, but Canada came out flat in the second half and fell 15-8 to the Russians at the final whistle.
Matthews had another outstanding tournament for Team Canada, netting six goals in the seven-match tournament campaign. Myers provided a strong defensive presence in Canada's rotation, and added two goals as well.
Matthews and Myers now rejoin their Indiana teammates and fellow students with the beginning of the 2015-16 academic year. The pair of Canadian sophomores competed in three international tournaments for their country over the summer break.
Players Mentioned
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