GWANGJU, South Korea – The United States, led by the play of a number of Cardinal, won its third consecutive FINA World Championship and sixth overall at the recently concluded tournament in Gwangju, South Korea.
The third consecutive world championship is a record for any women's or men's program and joined the program's titles from 2003, 2007, 2009, 2015 and 2017. The 11-6 win in the final over Spain in which Kiley Neushul scored three times and Maggie Steffens added a pair of goals, was the United States' 53rd victory in a row.
Neushul and Steffens were joined by alum Melissa Seidemann along with undergraduates Aria and Makenzie Fischer on the U.S. roster. It was the third gold medal for Seidemann in her fifth appearance at the FINA World Championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019) while Neushul and Steffens also collected their third golds in their fourth appearances at the event (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019). Makenzie Fischer has now won in each of her three trips to the World Championships (2015, 2017, 2019) and Aria Fischer is also perfect at the event with a pair of golds in her two appearances (2017, 2019).
Neushul and both Fischers were three of the United States' five double-digit scorers at the tournament, each rattling the cage 10 times. Steffens poured in seven and Seidemann six. In all, Stanford's five representatives on the 13-player roster were responsible for 46 percent of the U.S. scoring. Team USA outscored its six opponents in Gwangju 93-26.
Alumnae Jamie Neushul, Jordan Raney and Gabby Stone also led the United States to the inaugural beach water polo title at the FINA World Championships after a 14-12 victory over Spain on July 18. The victory capped a 4-0 run for Team USA at the exhibition tournament, which was staged for the first time. While no medals were awarded, athletes received certificates for their participation in the historic event. Jamie Neushul scored seven goals in the victory to lead Team USA.
Next up for the American squad is the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru from August 4-10. That 11-person U.S. roster includes Seidemann, Steffens, Jamie Neushul, Kiley Neushul, Aria Fischer and Makenzie Fischer. Team USA will open in Peru against Puerto Rico on August 4. Slotted in Group A, Team USA will also meet Brazil and Venezuela in group play that concludes on August 6. A champion will be crowned on August 10.
