The United States won its second straight gold medal in women's water polo at the world championships Friday, beating Canada 7-6 on Kelly Rulon's penalty shot with 3:42 left.
Brenda Villa celebrates with her U.S. water polo teammates after beating Canada on a penalty shot, 7-6, to win the world championship in Rome on Friday.
The Americans have won three of the last four championships at the worlds. They captured the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.
"This was not the best game we played," U.S. coach Adam Krikorian said. "It was not even close to one of our best."
But Rulon scored two goals and Elizabeth Armstrong denied Tara Campbell on a blistering shot by with 17 seconds remaining to preserve the victory. Armstrong stopped 11 shots.
"In the end, we simply were able to find a way to win this game," Krikorian said.
Canada was backed by four goals from Emily Csikos and strong goaltending from Rachel Riddell, who stopped 12 shots.
It wasn't quite enough.
"I am very disappointed. We don't deserve this result," Canada coach Patrick Oaten said. "We have to learn from this experience."
Russia won the bronze medal with a 10-9 victory Greece. Evgenia Ivanova scored with two seconds remaining. The goal came after Konstantina Kouteli was sent off for a foul.
Ekaternina Prokofyeva scored three goals for Russia. Alexandra Asimaki and Angeliki Gerolimou had three goals apiece for Greece.
The men's medal games are Saturday. Spain will face Serbia for the gold, and the U.S. will play defending world champion Croatia for the bronze.
SOURCE: Associated Press
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