U.S. women win gold

For the fourth time in 12 years the USA Water Polo Women’s National Team, which features Kaleigh Gilchrist (Newport Harbor High) and Maddie Musselman (Corona del Mar) are FINA World Champions.

The latest iteration came in Kazan, Russia with a 5-4 victory over the Netherlands Friday.

Musselman scored a goal.

The victory prolongs a dominant streak for the USA Women that now sees them as the reigning Olympic, World, World Cup, World League, and Pan American champions, a feat never before achieved in women’s international water polo.

Musselman scored on a counterattack goal for a 2-1 USA lead in the first half.

The previous FINA World Championships for Team USA were won in 2003 (Barcelona), 2007 (Melbourne) and 2009 (Rome). The current run of multiple event championship titles being held concurrently began at the 2012 Olympic Games (London) and continued with the 2014 FINA World Cup (Khanty-Mansiysk), 2015 FINA World League Super Final (Shanghai), and 2015 Pan American Games (Toronto).

Ashleigh Johnson recorded 12 saves including a crucial penalty shot stop in the fourth period en route to being named match MVP and the tournament’s top goalkeeper. Rachel Fattal delivered two huge goals on the way to tournament MVP honors.

— From staff reports