RIO DE JANEIRO _ The U.S. became the first two-time Olympic champion in women's water polo history Friday, blitzing Italy, 12-5, at Rio's Olympic Aquatics Stadium.
The U.S. won its first gold in London four years ago but just four women _ Maggie Steffens, Kami Craig, Melissa Seidemann and Courtney Mathewson _ from that team played in Rio. All four scored in Friday's final, though, with Steffens' third-period goal giving her a tournament-high 17.
The U.S., which trailed just once for less than a minute in six games in Rio, took the lead for good on Kiley Neushul's goal less than four minutes into the first period.
By the end of the opening eight minutes, the Americans led 4-1 and were never seriously challenged after that. Neushul finished with three goals _ on four shots _ while Rachel Fatal and Mackenize Fischer scored two each. Goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson also came up big, making nine saves and stopping a penalty shot early in the second half before coming out of the game for Sami Hill with 2{ minutes to play.
Hill made two saves in her brief appearance.
Friday's final was the first matchup of former champions in five women's water polo tournaments and both teams came into the gold-medal game unbeaten.
Italy won its gold in 2004.
