(Montreal) After losing their first game at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, the Canadian women’s water polo team tasted their first victory of the competition on Tuesday by winning 13-11 over New Zealand.
The first quarter was played on the offense as the Canadians managed to take a 7-4 lead after the first eight minutes of play. The New Zealanders had opened the scoring first, but the Canadians responded with four unanswered goals.
The Oceania formation came back to the charge before the half to reduce the gap to a single goal. The representatives of Canada, however, gave themselves a serious option on victory in the third quarter, where they shut out their opponents, while adding three goals.
Despite a push from the New Zealanders at the end of the game, coach David Paradelo’s troops held on to win 13-11 and, at the same time, settle in second place in the Group D standings with only one preliminary match to be played.
Shae La Roche was the offensive star for Canada with a hat trick. Kindred Paul, Hayley McKelvey and Blaire McDowell scored twice, while Axelle Crevier, Emma Wright, Élyse Lemay-Lavoie and Serena Browne each added a goal. Goaltender Jessica Gaudreault made 11 saves in the win.
Floranne Carroll, Daphné Guevremont and Clara Vulpisi are the other Quebecers on the Canadian team for this edition of the world aquatic sports.
Despite the victory, the maple leaf players were not fully satisfied. They will also have to make some adjustments for their next meeting which will take place on Thursday, against the Japanese.
“We got the result we wanted, but the road was tough. The execution and finishing on offense was difficult. We also lacked concentration defensively. The Japanese have a very different style from all the other countries, it will certainly not be a difficult match,” commented Axelle Crevier after leaving the water.
In Tuesday’s 10m platform semi-final, diver Caeli McKay earned her ticket to the final with a total crop of 324.05 that gave her fifth place.
McKay had also finished fifth earlier in the day in qualifying. The 24-year-old admits fatigue was a factor in the semi-finals after a very long day of competition.
“I’m very relieved to have reached the final. I don’t think I’ve ever spent so much time in the pool in a single day for a competition. I missed my third dive and I knew I had to do well on my last two dives to secure my spot in the final,” she said.
Provisionally 14th, McKay has indeed responded well. She earned scores of 74.25 and 70.40 on her next two jumps to move up the leaderboard and earn the coveted pass.
The women’s platform final will be played on Wednesday. Caeli McKay will be Canada’s sole representative as Elaena Dick finished 17th in the semi-final. Only the top 12 divers advanced to the next round.