SYDNEY, Australia. (KEYT) - The USA Women won the gold medal at the 2026 World Aquatics World Cup Final today with a 13-9 victory over Spain. Emily Ausmus was named Player of the Match with six goals scored while goalkeeper Amanda Longan (Oaks Christian High School, Santa Barbara Water Polo Club) was a force in the cage with 13 saves. The win marks a return to the top of the World Cup podium for Team USA after failing to qualify for the Final last year following four consecutive gold medals in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2023.
Three scoreless minutes transpired to begin as Longan made multiple nice saves before Rachel Gazzaniga had the first word for Team USA on a redirect goal. Spain answered on the other end but Rachel Fattal powered home the Americans' second and Ausmus doubled the lead with a counter attack strike. The Spanish got one back before Ausmus beat the goalkeeper again. Spain scored late to set the score at 4-3 in favor of the United States after one.
The second period started with a fantastic save from Longan but she couldn't do it again when Spain stepped up for its lone penalty shot. Team USA returned the favor when Ausmus drew a penalty foul and Ryann Neushul (Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Water Polo Club) converted the attempt. Then, Ausmus got out in front of the defense on a counter attack and registered a first half hat trick with her third goal. Spain pulled back within one with its next goal before Ausmus scored again to give the United States a 7-5 halftime edge.
The Spanish got the first goal of the second half prior to Neushul notching her second score. Spain tied the game with back-to-back goals and then Paige Hauschild (San Marcos High School, Santa Barbara Water Polo Club) sent a perfect lob pass over the defense to Fattal to retake the lead. Ausmus put two more away to continue her big night but Spain scored in the final ten seconds of the quarter for an 11-9 American advantage.
The final frame began with two great saves from Longan and then Jordan Raney sent a beautiful lob shot in for her first. From there, the United States took control of the match with stifling defense and smart ball control. Raney duplicated her deft lob shot late to put the finishing touches on the 13-9 victory.
Team USA went 7/13 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Spain went 3/11 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties.
Scoring - StatsUSA 13 (4, 3, 4, 2) E. Ausmus 6, R. Fattal 2, J. Raney 2, J. Flynn 1, R. Gazzaniga 1, R. Neushul 1ESP 9 (3, 2, 4, 0) P. Camus 2, A. Ruiz Barril 2, E. Ruiz Barril 2, A. Munoz 1, C. Penalver 1, N. Perez Vivas 1Saves - USA - A. Longan 13 - ESP - M. Terre 66x5 - USA - 7/13 - ESP - 3/11Penalties - USA - 1/1 - ESP - 1/1
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