STANFORD, Calif. – Maggie Steffens was named MVP and the USA Women's National Team won its third consecutive FINA World Cup title with an 8-5 victory over Russia on Sunday.
Steffens led the way with three times in the final and Stanford accounted for seven of the United States' eight goals. Jamie Neushul scored twice and Aria and Makenzie Fischer each rattled the cage once.
With the victory the USA Water Polo Women's National Team maintained its status as current champions of the Olympic Games, FINA World Championship, FINA World Cup and FINA World League.
Six Cardinal made up the 13-person U.S. roster and were responsible for half of their team's offense (48 of 95 goals). In addition to the Stanford goal scorers in the championship, Jordan Raney put home seven during the six-match tournament and Kiley Neushul six.
The United States swept the field in Surgut, Russia, beating New Zealand 18-2, South Africa 26-1, Canada 17-3, China 15-5 and Spain 11-5 before the gold-medal game against the hosts.
Steffens (11 goals) and Makenzie Fischer (10 goals) were two of Team USA's three double-digit scorers at the event. Aria Fischer's four-goal performance in the opener against New Zealand was a single-game high for Stanford players at the World Cup.
The championship was the second FINA World Cup title for Steffens and Kiley Neushul, who were on the squad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia in 2014. Aria and Makenzie Fischer, Jamie Neushul and Jordan Raney were all making their tournament debuts.
