Women's Water Polo Makes a Splash Against Greece

PARIS – Water Polo action splashed onto the busy Olympic scene on Saturday as the USA women defeated Greece, 15-6, in Paris’s Aquatics Center. USA Water Polo Hype Man Flavor Flav brought his energy and enthusiasm to the pool after committing to sponsor the sport in early July but had to share his spotlight inside the Aquatics Center with USA First Lady Jill Biden.

“I thought it was cool,” three-time Olympian Maddie Musselman said of Biden’s attendance. “...[I] gave her a wave actually, at the end. And honestly, I think just having fans in general since Tokyo is really special.”

The USA women’s team will compete in round-robin style matchups within their group of five teams before the official knockout round begins. The top four teams from each of the two groups will advance to contend for a medal.

The American women have medaled in every Olympics since the inclusion of women’s water polo in the Games in 2000. They own three gold medals, two silvers, and one bronze from each of their six Olympic appearances. They seek their fourth consecutive gold medal this year in Paris and are heavy favorites to accomplish the feat.

“The experience we bring, as well as the women who came before us, definitely pushes us forward and gives us confidence,” goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson said in a press conference on Wednesday. “But this team hasn't accomplished the goal yet; this team hasn't won an Olympic gold, and that gives us a lot of perspective and focus that we need to put everything that we have into this.”

Team USA is off to a hot start after picking up the win over Greece, and saw three first-time Olympians score their first Olympic goals in the matchup. Emily Ausmus and Jewel Roemer notched one goal each, and Jenna Flynn made a spectacular Olympic debut as she scored four USA points – three of which came in the first two periods of play.

“I knew it was coming,” Musselman said. “I mean, this girl has been training hard for the past three years and she's been someone that has a huge role on our team. We have a lot of people that can finish the ball but she's impressive in the way that she does it. And I'm not surprised by any means that she was able to do that.

“I think you're going to be surprised by a lot of people on our team throughout this entire tournament.”

Ashleigh Johnson, another three-time Olympian for Team USA, kept Greece out of the cage through the first period, allowing just four scores when she was in the water. Johnson’s dominance in goal was never doubted – she saved 10 of Greece’s 14 total shots faced. Amanda Longan took over goalkeeping duties in the fourth quarter and allowed just two goals during her time defending the cage.

“She was really dominant in the goalposts,” Greek coach Alexia Anna Kammenou said. “...Maybe she’s the best ever goalkeeper of all time.”

Kammenou coached Johnson during Johnson’s time with the Greek water polo club NC Vouliagmeni in 2018-19.

“If USA is in such a rhythm, I think they will go for sure to the final, and maybe again for the gold medal,” Kammenou said. 

USA held an impressive offensive rhythm as nine players contributed their 15 total goals. Scorers included the three debut Olympians in Ausmus (1), Roemer (1), and Flynn (4), and veteran players Musselman (1), Tara Prentice (2), Rachel Fattal (1), team captain Maggie Steffens (2), Kaleigh Gilchrist (1), and Jovana Sekulic (2).

The USA women’s water polo team will be back in the pool for their second preliminary match on Monday, July 29th, against a strong Spain team.