Canada Cup Day 5: Stingers Canadian tour ends on golden note
It will be a golden Christmas for the Stingers after their triumph in Canada earlier today
The Australian women’s water polo team has won gold at the Canada Cup defeating China 11-8 to claim an all important victory ahead of the Water Polo Pan Pacs in Melbourne next month.
The Aussie Stingers took control from the opening swim off, jumping out to a 4-0 lead at quarter time.
A first period double from Victoria’s Rowena Webster put China on the back foot, with further goals to Glencora Ralph, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Hannah Buckling and Jane Moran adding to the pressure.
China were able to mount a comeback early in the third quarter, scoring three straight goals, but strikes to young duo Isobel Bishop and Zoe Arancini helped Australia regain the ascendency.
Webster dominated the Chinese defence all game finishing the match with four goals, while Lea Barta was superb in goals making 14 saves.
Head coach Greg McFadden was excited about the progress of the group and said the result was a good sign going into the future months.
"The team was fantastic today," McFadden said.
"In patches the girls were unbelievable, especially when we executed our game plan.
"We faltered a few times to allow easy goals which allowed China back into the game, but all in all it was a great performance going into the new year."
For the official scoresheet, 
click here
For Aussie Stingers player stats, click here
Kelsey Wakefield was named goalkeeper of the tournament, with Glencora Ralph being selected in the All Star team.
McFadden said the effort of both girls as well as the team was amazing.
"It's great for Kelsey and Glencora to be named in the tournament team as they both played extremly well and deserved selection," he said.
"However the whole team played well and this was reflected in the team awards with six different player of the matches and a different player of the tournament."
For Wakefield, her personal recognition was just another step in her stellar transition to the elite team.
"It was a great way to cap off the tournament and the excellent performance of the team throughout the week helped to make my job a lot easier," Wakefield said.
The win comes at crucial time for the Stingers having now got wins over two of their main rivals for the Water Polo Pan Pacs.
Australia will host China and Canada, as well as the USA and Brazil when the tournament begins on January 8 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
Australia
Lea Barta, Gemma Beadsworth, Sophie Smith, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Jane Moran, Isobel Bishop, Rowena Webster, Kate Gynther (c), Glencora Ralph, Hannah Buckling, Zoe Arancini, Nicola Zagame, Kelsey Wakefield
Result: Australia 11 bt China 8
Scorers: Rowie Webster 4, Isobel Bishop, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Zoe Arancini, Kate Gynther, Jane Moran, Glencora Ralph, Hannah Buckling
Goalkeeper: Lea Barta 14 saves
Most Valuable Goalie: Kelsey Wakefield (AUS)
All-Star Team:
1. Iefke van Belkum (NED)
2. Mari Carmen Garcia (ESP)
3. Rita Dravucz (HUN)
4. Carmen Eggens (CAN)
5. Sun Tujun (CHN)
6. Glencora Ralph (AUS)
Day 5: Stingers progress to gold medal
The Australian women’s water polo team has finished the round robin stages of the Canada Cup undefeated after securing a 9-9 draw with China.
The Aussie Stingers were again forced to come from behind after trailing at every break.
Youngsters Zoe Arancini and Isobel Bishop got Australia off to a good start, scoring three of the team’s first five goals.
China then extended their control of the game jumping out to a 7-5 lead at three quarter time.
Four goals by the Stingers in the last quarter, including a double from Queenslander Jane Moran, drew the Aussies level, with neither team being able to break the 9-9 deadlock.
For the official scoresheet, click here
For Aussie Stingers player stats, click here
Australia will now face China in the gold medal match, which takes place early Monday morning Australian time.
The Canada Cup is Australia’s primary warm up for the Water Polo Pan Pacs in Melbourne from January 8-14.
Australia
Lea Barta, Gemma Beadsworth, Sophie Smith, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Jane Moran, Isobel Bishop, Rowena Webster, Kate Gynther (c), Glencora Ralph, Hannah Buckling, Zoe Arancini, Nicola Zagame, Kelsey Wakefield
Result: Australia 9 drew China 9
Scorers: Jane Moran 2, Rowie Webster 2, Zoe Arancini 2, Nicola Zagame, Kate Gynther, Isobel Bishop
X man for: 4 from 6
X man against: China 2 from 7
Goalkeeper: K Wakefield 13 saves
Best: K Wakefield, N Zagame, R Webster, J Moran, Z Arancini, I Bishop
Day 4: Draw edges Stingers closer to gold
The Australian women’s water polo team remains at the top of the Canada Cup standings despite a 6-6 draw with Netherlands earlier today.
The Aussie Stingers looked like they had secured their fourth victory of the tournament, but three last quarter goals by the Dutch evened up the contest.
Rowena Webster was in the thick of the action for Australia netting three goals as well as being excluded late in the last period.
Western Australian Glencora Ralph and captain Kate Gynther scored the other goals.
Coach Greg McFadden said that while a win would have been nice the result guarantees the team a spot in the final.
"We defended very well but the centre forwards got nothing in the second half as they also defended well," he said.
"A draw got us to the final so we killed the last attack and we'll rest up now and save a bit of energy."
For the official scoresheet, click here
For Aussie Stingers player stats, click here
The Stingers remain the only undefeated team at the tournament and now play world number two China in the last game of the round robin phase.
The Canada Cup is Australia’s primary warm up for the Water Polo Pan Pacs in Melbourne from January 8-14.
Australia
Lea Barta, Gemma Beadsworth, Sophie Smith, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Jane Moran, Isobel Bishop, Rowena Webster, Kate Gynther (c), Glencora Ralph, Hannah Buckling, Zoe Arancini, Nicola Zagame, Kelsey Wakefield
Result: Australia 6 drew Netherlands 6
Scorers: Rowena Webster 3, Glencora Ralph 2, Kate Gynther
Goalkeeper: Lea Barta 13 saves
Day 3: Aussie Stingers remain undefeated
The Australian women’s water polo team has recorded their third straight victory at the 2011 Canada Cup edging out the hosts 9-8 in a thriller.
Three first quarter goals by the Aussie Stingers opened an early advantage but some defensive lapses and sharp shooting by the Canadians meant the Australians trailed by one at half time.
Both teams traded early goals in the third period before the Stingers went on a 3-0 run either side of the last break to jump out to a two goal lead.
Canada once again clawed their way back with two quick replies, but Western Australian Gemma Beadsworth sealed the stunning result with a centre forward strike 50 seconds from time.
Head coach Greg McFadden was very pleased with the performance and praised all his players for the effort.
"This was a very gutsy and controlled display," McFadden said.
"In contrast to the previous night the girls adapted very well to both the set and extra man defence played by the Canadians.
"The commitment by the team in defence was also excellent and all the players did their job and contributed to the win, particularly Gemma Beadsworth, who was outstanding in the last quarter."
The Aussie Stingers now have a comfortable advantage at the top of table and are well placed to progress to the gold medal match.
For the official scoresheet, click here
For Aussie Stingers player stats, click here
Australia’s next opponent is the Netherlands tomorrow.
The Canada Cup is Australia’s primary warm up for the Water Polo Pan Pacs in Melbourne from January 8-14.
Australia
Lea Barta, Gemma Beadsworth, Sophie Smith, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Jane Moran, Isobel Bishop, Rowena Webster, Kate Gynther (c), Glencora Ralph, Hannah Buckling, Zoe Arancini, Nicola Zagame, Kelsey Wakefield
Result: Australia 9 beat Canada 8
Quarters: (3-2, 1-3, 3-1, 2-2)
X man for: 2 from 4
X man defended: Canada scored 2 from 7
Goalkeepers: Kelsey Wakefield 16 saves
Scorers: Gemma Beadsworth 2, Sophie Smith 2, Kate Gynther 2, Holly-Lincoln Smith, Rowena Webster, Nicola Zagame
Best: G Beadsworth, G Ralph, N Zagame, H Lincoln Smith, K Gynther, R Webster, S Smith
Day 2: Stingers overcome Spain in thriller
The Australian women’s water polo team has come from behind to win their round robin match against Spain 12-11 in a thriller at the Canada Cup in Montreal.
The win puts the Aussie Stingers on top of the tournament ladder with a pair of wins from their opening two matches following yesterday’s 12-8 win over Hungary.
In today’s game, the surprise packet Spaniards, who upset hosts Canada on day one of the tournament, jumped out to a 4-1 first quarter lead but the Australian’s drew level at 4-4 late in the first half before the teams entered the last period locked at nine goals apiece.
The Stingers then saw fourth quarter goals from Nicola Zagame, Holly Lincoln-Smith and Jane Moran to hit the lead before two minutes of solid defence ensured the win.
Australian assistant coach Aleks Osadchuk said it was important the Stingers stuck to their match plan once they fell behind Spain in the first quarter.
“It was a slow start for the Stingers and the girls worked hard to get back into the game,” Osadchuk said.
“They gradually reduced the margin and stuck to the game plan. It was a great team effort.”
For the official scoresheet, 
click here.
For Aussie Stingers player stats, click here.
Australia’s next opponent is Canada tomorrow.
The Canada Cup is Australia’s primary warm up for the Water Polo Pan Pacs in Melbourne from January 8-14.
Australia
Lea Barta, G Beadsworth, Sophie Smith, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Jane Moran, Isobel Bishop, Rowie Webster, Kate Gynther ©, Glencora Ralph, Hannah Buckling, Zoe Arancini, Nicola Zagame, Kelsey Wakefield
Result: Australia 12 beat Spain 11
Quarters: 1-4, 3-1, 5-4, 3-2
X man for: 5 from 12
X man defence: 7 from 9
Goalkeeper: L Barta - 2 saves
Aus scorers: N Zagame 3, J Moran 2, G Ralph 2, R Webster 2, G Beadsworth, H Lincoln-Smith, K Gynther
Best Players: G Ralph, N Zagame, J Moran, H Lincoln-Smith, K Gynther, R Webster
Day 1: Aussie Stingers kick off Canada Cup campaign with win
The Australian women’s water polo team, the Aussie Stingers, have won their opening round robin match at the Canada Cup in Montreal, defeating Hungary 12-8.
Despite conceding the opening goal the world number five Australians hit the front halfway through the first quarter before going on to lead at every break.
Australian captain and dual Olympian Kate Gynther scored a hat trick, as did centre forward Holly Lincoln-Smith and rising star Glencora Ralph, whilst Nicola Zagame bagged a double and Rowena Webster scored one.
For the official scoresheet, click here.
For Aussie Stingers player stats, click here.
Sydney 19-year-old Hannah Buckling moved a step closer to nailing down Olympic selection by playing well in her senior international debut.
“It was certainly exciting to play my first game for Australia and it was good to come out with a win in our first game,” Buckling, a bachelor of science student, said.
“I thought we played very well in patches but made some mistakes. That gives us something to work on.”
Australia’s next opponent is Spain tomorrow.
The Canada Cup is Australia’s primary warm up for the Water Polo Pan Pacs in Melbourne from January 8-14.
Australia
Lea Barta, Sophie Smith, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Jane Moran, Isobel Bishop, Rowie Webster, Kate Gynther ©, Glencora Ralph, Hannah Buckling, Zoe Arancini, Nicola Zagame, Kelsey Wakefield (12 players only)
Result: Australia 12 beat Hungary 8
Quarters: 2-1, 5-5, 3-1, 2-1
X man for: 6 from 10 and 1 from 1 Penalty
X man defence: Canada scored 3 from 10 and 1 from 1 Penalty
Goalkeeper: K Wakefield - 10 saves
Aus scorers: H Lincoln-Smith 3, K Gynther 3, G Ralph 3, N Zagame 2, R Webster
Best Players: H Lincoln-Smith, G Ralph, N Zagame, R Webster, K Gynther, J Moran
