2015 Summer Universiade: Canada takes close win over Russia and move to 2-0

GWANGJU, South Korea (Team Canada) – The Canadian women's water polo team improved its record to 2-0 in Group A at the 2015 Summer Universiade on Friday afternoon. Canada earned a hard fought 9-8 victory over Russia, led by five goals from Kyra Christmas.

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Things were even at 2-2 at the end of the first period. A pair of goals on exclusion gave Russia the edge to open the second period, and the lead grew to 6-3 before a composed Canadian squad pulled within one at halftime.

The momentum remained on Canada's side to open the second half, and the Canucks quickly grabbed a 7-6 lead courtesy of goals by Kyra Christmas. Defensive efforts in front of the Canadian net were rewarded with two more goals to lead 9-6 heading into the final period.

It was a tense final two minutes. Canada's Kelly Matthews, who contributed two goals in the match, had a penalty shot which was stopped by the keeper. Russia came back the other way and hit the post before Russia's Anna Ustyukhina made another superb stop. Nicola Colterjohn of Hamilton, Ont. responded with a stop of her own at the end of an exclusion.

With 24 seconds remaining, Canada called timeout to set up defensively for the final Russian possession. With the middle of the pool packed, Russia ran down the clock and tried to shoot it past Colterjohn's right side. The McMaster University student made a one-handed stop to preserve the victory.

"Nicola is very experienced and she's a gamer," said head coach David Paradello, of Montreal Que. "She loves the intense moments, and that's when she does the best."