Tokyo, Japan - The U.S. Olympic Women's Water Polo Team defeated Spain 14-5 in the Tokyo final and cemented their legacy as one of the legendary programs in the history of the sport, earning an unprecedented third straight Olympic Gold Medal. It was a ruthless performance from Team USA, pairing suffocating defense with a clinically precise offense that succeeded in overpowering the previously undefeated Spanish squad. Maddie Musselman scored three goals in the final, on the heels of five goals in a semifinal win over ROC, and was named the tourney's Most Valuable Player. Ashleigh Johnson recorded 11 saves, piling up a record 80 for the entire tournament, on the way to earning top goalkeeper honors. A replay of the USA-Spain match is scheduled to air as part of Olympic coverage on NBCSN tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt. A replay of the live stream can be accessed on the NBC Sports app or by clicking here.
After a loss to Hungary in group play and a
Makenzie Fischer and Kaleigh Gilchrist kept things rolling in the second adding power play goals in the first three minutes for a 6-1 lead. Spain made their best push of the match, scoring three of the next four goals, to trim the deficit down to three at halftime at 7-4. The third quarter was where this match was decided. Team USA exploded for five unanswered goals to take complete control of the game. Williams and Aria Fischer found the net on power plays just minutes into the quarter. Meanwhile Johnson stayed hot in cage, reeling off five straight saves to help keep Spain scoreless. More offense ensued for the United States with another Gilchrist goal followed by a Stephania Haralabidis penalty shot score for an 11-4 lead with 1:01 left in the third. Again it was Team USA closing a period with a flurry as Aria Fischer hit on a power play goal with just six seconds left to make it 12-4 going to the fourth.
Musselman added her third goal of the day on a power play early on in the fourth for a 13-4 lead. Then with 2:20 left Melissa Seidemann got on the board and it was a 14-4 lead. One final Spain goal didn't factor in the decision and Team USA cruised to the convincing victory.
The United States was stellar on the advantage, converting 8/11 opportunities and going 1/1 on penalties while Spain went 2/16 on power plays with no penalties attempted. Team USA's record now improves to 134-4 since the 2016 Olympic Games.
Team USA set or built on a host of records in Tokyo, they include:
Largest margin of victory in a final (9)
Most goals scored in one Olympic Games (109)
Most goals scored all-time at the Olympic Games (366)
Most wins all-time (27)
Scoring - Stats
USA 14 (4, 3, 5, 2) M. Musselman 3, A. Fischer 2, K. Gilchrist 2, A. Williams 2, M. Seidemann 1, R. Fattal 1, M. Steffens 1, M. Fischer 1, S. Haralabidis 1
ESP 5 (1, 3, 0, 1) M. Garcia 2, B. Ortiz 1, E. Ruiz 1, R. Tarrago 1
Saves - USA - A. Johnson 11, A. Longan 1 - ESP - L. Easter 3, M. Sanchez 1
6x5 - USA - 8/11 - ESP - ESP - 2/16
Penalties - USA - 1/1 - ESP - 0/0
Flash Quotes
Maggie Steffens (USA) - gold
What is it about the team that allows them to play their best games in the big moments:
"One thing that our team have been really focused on, not only in this Olympics but through this quad-plus year of this journey, is to enjoy the moment as much as possible.
"I think with the pandemic, the postponement, so many challenges, so much adversity, individually and as a group, we kept coming out of those stronger and always stronger together.
"Today, I think that was just a show of who we are as a team. That no matter the adversity that is thrown our way, we stick together as a team, and we rise up and we thrive in those moments. It was really amazing to see the balance and the full team effort.
"You could see it from every single player on our team. It's about the unit that you build, the unit you create and that's really where the magic lies. I'm really grateful to be a part of it and to have been able to show the world that magic we've created as a circle and as a unit."
On managing mental health and coping with the stresses of competing at the Games:
"Mental health is a huge part of this journey. The Olympics have a lot of pressure, a lot of weight, and I think a lot of people when they think of health just think of what you can see.
"They think of the physical health, or needing to see a doctor for an injury, but what people don't see is what's going on inside your brain, what's going on inside your heart, and this is a really tough journey.
"If you ask any team, you have to go through a lot to get to this point and be able to realize your dream. I think there's been a great amount of athletes who have demonstrated how to put your health first and use the resources that you have.
"There are sport psychologists we have as a team and what's so great about being a team sport is that you can rely on your teammates and use them as support, but at the end of the day you do need to put your health first.
"I'm grateful for a lot of the women who have demonstrated that and been a great leader in showing that it's not just about what people can see. There's always more to the picture than what meets the eye."
Adam Krikorian (USA) - coach
On the challenges surrounding these Olympic Games:
"There's been a lot of talk about our success and our adversity, but the world has gone through a hell of a lot over the last 17 months.
"There have been many people who have suffered, so I don't want to diminish that, but what every single one of these Olympic athletes, coaches and staff members have been through to get to this point is a fricken gold medal in itself.
"Yes, we won a gold medal but every single person that has been here has been through a heck of a lot and I hope the rest of the world is watching as there are so many good examples here."
Madeline MUSSELMAN (USA) - gold
On how the team plays at their best in the big matches:
"We're having fun out there and I think you could see that today. Everyone brought their best when their best was needed and it showed in all four quarters."
On the performance of Ashleigh JOHNSON (USA), who saved 11 of the 15 shots she faced:
"Her presence, you can feel it, even when you're on offense. You hear her voice everywhere you are.
"She's a dominant force in there and you know that when she has the first quarter in her hands, the rest of the game is in her hands, too.
"That's special to have someone back there with so much confidence. You don't even have to turn around to know if she's blocked it or not, you just know."
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