MONTREAL – Roser Tarrago scored the winning goal with 23 seconds remaining in regulation to give Spain a 9-8 victory over Canada on Tuesday in the opening match for both teams at the six-country Canada Cup women’s water polo tournament.
Monika Eggens of Maple Ridge, B.C., led the Canadian attack with two goals while Emily Csikos of Calgary, Joelle Bekhazi of Pointe-Claire, Que., Sophie Baron La Salle and Dominique Perreault of Montreal, Carmen Eggens of Maple Ridge and Tara Campbell of Baie-d’Urfe, Que., scored once each.
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Spain, ranked three spots below Canada at 11th in the world, led 3-2 after the first quarter, 6-4 at the half and 7-5 after three. In the fourth quarter, Csikos and Carmen Eggens scored in the opening two minutes to tie the match at 7-7. The Spaniards regained the lead less than a minute later before Perreault tied it with 3:27 remaining.
“We came out flat tonight,” said Canadian head coach Patrick Oaten. “We thought it would be an easy game and we didn’t look prepared. With some new players we are expecting some mix ups but we should have been ready.’”
Oaten says he is using this tournament as one of the final selection opportunities to determine the Canadian team for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Italy April 15-22, 2012.
In other round robin matches Tuesday, Australia defeated Hungary 12-8 and China took the Netherlands 7-4.
Canada’s next match is Wednesday against China.
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