Women of Troy Reach Medal Rounds With Team USA
August 10, 2006 | Women's Water Polo
Aug. 10, 2006
Another summer medal is within reach for five USC women's water polo players competing with the U.S. National Team. Team USA's clean run through the first three games at the 2006 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup has pushed the squad through to the semifinal round in Tianjin, China. The United States will face either Greece or Italy in the semifinals, while Australia awaits either Russia or Hungary in the other semifinal on Aug. 12 in China.
Team USA boasts five members of the 2006 USC squad -- all of whom have been key contributors in the United States' successful summer. After winning gold at the FINA Super Final in Italy in July, USC's five standouts have now combined for 21 goals in the USA's first three games at the World Cup. USC seniors Moriah Van Norman and Lauren Wenger each have scored six goals for the United States as it powered through an 11-10 win over Russia, a 17-7 win over Greece and a 14-7 win over China. Juniors Patty Cardenas and Erika Figge, along with freshman Kami Craig, have knocked in three goals apiece.
Cardenas, Craig, Figge, Van Norman and Wenger aren't the only Women of Troy in the USA contingent, however. U.S. assistant coach Bernice Orwig was a standout goalie at USC and won the Peter J. Cutino Award in 1999. Two other former Trojans are also in action at the World Cup with their respective national teams. 2000 Peter J. Cutino Award winner Aniko Pelle has helped guide her Hungarian team into the quarterfinals, as has Russian standout Sofia Konukh. Konukh scored three goals against Team USA on the first day of competition, and the Russian team captain has tallied seven so far in World Cup play. Pelle has registered six goals in three games for Hungary.
