Dan, Davies Win Silver At WUGs
August 23, 2011 | Women's Water Polo
Aug. 23, 2011
USC's own Nadia Dan and Forel Davies finished off their summer in China with a trip to the podium, as the two members of Team USA claimed silver at the 2011 World University Games. Dan, who now returns to Troy for her senior season, scored 13 goals for the United States in the tournament, including two in the gold-medal match. Davies, a 2010 USC graduate, was called upon for her defensive prowess while she also added five goals for Team USA during the action in Shenzhen, China.
The U.S. squad rolled undefeated into the gold-medal match, coming up against host China in the final to face a team that was identical to the Chinese roster that took second at the FINA World Championships just last month. China managed a 14-4 win over the USA to claim gold and put silver around the necks of the U.S. team. The trip was a reunion for Dan and Davies, who last teamed up for the Trojans in 2010 when USC won the NCAA Championship.
"Considering this China team is 100% the same team that finished second at World Championships, everybody else knew they were playing for second. For this team to get a silver was amazing. The key was beating a strong Russia team in group play. Amber Oland was a rock. Leah Robertson won most of her sprints and she and Alyssa Lo were counterattacking machines. Nadia Dan was the best lefty here. Forel Davies, Caroline Clark, and Stephanie Schnugg were studs on two meter defense. I could say something great about every kid. We set the bar high for future World University Games teams," said USA Head Coach Matt Anderson.
On the men's side, the United States roster included former USC player and NCAA champion, Matt Sagehorn. The U.S. men reached the bronze-medal game at the World University Games, but fell 10-7 to Macedonia in the match to finish fourth. A two-time national champ at USC, Sagehorn scored seven goals for Team USA in China.
