Goalkeeper Kelsey Wakefield has put in a world-class effort to ensure the Australian women's water polo team beat Canada 8-7 on Friday in a tight quarter-final at the FINA World League Super Finals in China.
While it was a tough game for the field players, the defensive effort in goals from World Championship silver medallist Wakefield proved to be the game breaker for the Aussie Stingers.
With Australia leading 8-7 in the final 30 seconds, Wakefield saved a Canadian shot from rocketing into the back of the cage.
The Stingers' goal scorers were Olympic bronze medallist Rowie Webster (3 goals), and fellow World Championship silver medallists Keesja Gofers (2), Jayde Appel (2) and Hannah Buckling.
In the opening quarter, Webster and Buckling netted goals, while Canada also scored two, setting the tone for the remainder of the game.
The second term was equally close with Gofers successfully shooting twice, only for Canada to match that effort as the scores were locked at 4-4 at the main break.
The second half was where the physicality stepped up, with the Stingers unable to shake Canada for the score to be 6-6 at the final exchange.
Kicking up a gear in the final stanza, the Stingers looked to Webster and Appel, who both found space to score, while Wakefield was wise to the attacks from Canada, keeping Australia in the lead at the final whistle.
Stingers player Eliesha Browne said it was a good test for the Aussies after a tough 11-10 loss on Thursday to Italy in their final group match.
"We went hard from the first whistle to the last and we had great individual efforts in offence matched by solid team work in defence," Browne said.
The Stingers will play the USA or Brazil at 8pm (AEST) on Saturday night in the semi-finals.
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