Aug. 3, 2012

LONDON -

The United States' women's water polo team advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2012 London Olympics with a hard-fought, 7-6, win over China Friday (Aug. 3). In the American's (2-0-1) final match of Group A, former Cal standout Elsie Windes (2004-07) scored with 3:57 left in the contest to give Team USA its crucial seventh goal. Windes also had a steal in 14:20 minutes of action.

The Golden Bears other representative on the USA National Team, Heather Petri (1997-99, 01), played a little more than 10 minutes of the game and had an assist, passing to Maggie Steffens with 3:18 in the third period to give the Americans a 5-3 lead.

Team USA will next play Italy (1-2 in Group B) in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Aug. 5. Italy lost to Australia (10-8) and Russia (7-4) before defeating Great Britain Friday, 10-5. The Americans (2-0-1) opened the Olympics with a 14-13 win over Hungary on July 30, and tied Spain, 9-9, on Aug. 1.

The United States has medaled in the three prior Olympics for women's water polo, winning a silver medal in 2000, a bronze medal in 2004 and a silver medal in 2008.

Windes' goal Friday against China was her second Olympic goal. The Portland, Ore. native notched a goal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well. Petri, competing in her fourth Olympics, is the oldest member of the 2012 Olympic squad at 34.