Local water polo players led the way for Team USA in the opening game of the FINA Women's Junior World Championships oin Volos, Greece on Sunday.

Ryann Neushul and Abbi Hill of Dos Pueblos High and San Marcos graduate and USC freshman Paige Hauschild combined for 10 goals in a 24-1 romp Croatia. Neushul was the high scorer with five goals, Hauschild tallied three and Hill got the team going with two goals in the first period. 

All three players along with goalie Amanda Longan of USC (7 saves) are members of the 805 Santa Barbara Water Polo Club.

Team USA built an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter with two goals apiece from Neushul and Hill. They added to that in the second quarter going up 11-0 at halftime on the strength of two goals each from Hauschild and Denise Mammolito (USC).  USA then scored seven unanswered goals in the third quarter, including a pair from Sarah Klass (Stanford).

USA head Coach Coralea Simmons (Cal) was pleased with the opening game, noting: “Greece and Spain are tough—we scrimmaged Greece to prepare for the tournament and they are strong—this is going to be a challenging tournament.”

Next up for Team USA is New Zealand on Monday.