Villa scores game-winner for women's water polo

Brenda Villa of Commerce scored three goals including the game winner in a water polo semifinals against Australia.
Villa's goal with a minute left in the game gave the United States a 9-8 win and moved the U.S. into the gold medal game against the Netherlands. It is the first time the United States women's water polo team has been in an Olympic gold medal game since the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
The United States is assured of a medal for the third straight Olympics. No other women's water polo team has medaled in three straight Olympics.
"I liked the way we played, both teams know each other extremely well and I just figured it would be this type of game, said Guy Baker, head coach for the U.S. women's water polo team. "I liked the fourth quarter and how we played and how we were able to overcome losing a three goal lead."
Lauren Wegner of Long Beach left the game in the closing seconds with a fractured right hand.
The gold medal game against the Netherlands is Thursday in Beijing.
"We go back tonight and start preparing for the Netherlands," Baker said. "We had a four-day camp with them at Da Xing when we first arrived in China, so we have spent a little time together. They are playing great, they beat Russia to qualify to get here and they are a very good team under pressure."