Water Polo: U.S. Extends Record with Fifth U-20 Women’s Crown over Spain
The United States women’s water polo team won the World Under-20 title for a record-extending fifth time with a 16-15 decision over Spain on Saturday in Salvador, Brazil.
Lucy Haaland-Ford led the U.S. with four goals in the final, named the player of the game. Julia Bonaguidi tallied a hat trick. Emily Ausmus scored twice and was named the tournament MVP after making the all-tournament team at the 2025 World Aquatic Championships in Singapore.
Charlotte Raisin and Kamryn Barone scored twice apiece, and Christine Carpenter stopped eight shots in goal. The game was tied at the end of each of the first two quarters. Spain led 8-7 before goals by Bonaguidi and Rosalie Hassett put the squad up for good with 2:55 left in the third quarter.
Ausmus’ second goal of the game built a 14-11 lead early in the fourth. Haaland-Ford and Barone scored in the fourth to keep it at a three-goal margin, enough to hold off Spain’s late push.
The U.S. went 6-0 in the tournament, including two wins over Italy, which was led by goalkeeper of the tournament Olimpia Sesena. The U.S. defeated Italy, 13-11, in penalties in the semifinals.
Ausmus and Bonaguidi were on the media all-star team, along with Spain’s Isabel Piralkova, who scored three times in the final. Irene Casado scored five goals, and Carlota Penalver tallied four for Spain.
Final Standings
- United States
- Spain
- Greece
- Italy
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Croatia
- Brazil
- Australia
- China
- New Zealand
- Israel
- Canada
- Argentina
- South Africa
- Mexico
U-20 World Championships
- MVP: Emily Ausmus, USA
- Best Goalkeeper: Olimpia Sesena, Italy
- Highest Goal Scorers: Anahi Bacigalupo, Argentina, and Iva Rozic, Croatia, 23
- Player of the Final: Lucy Haaland-Ford, USA
- Media All-Star Team: Olimpia Sesena, Italy (GK); Emily Ausmus, USA; Julia Bonaguidi, USA; Anahi Bacigalupo, Argentina; Dionysia Koureta, Greece; Isabel Piralkova, Spain; Iva Rozic, Croatia