A loss can be a powerful motivator. So can smashing an Olympic record.
Just two days after the U.S. women’s water polo team’s 10-9 defeat to Hungary – their first loss in 13 years – captain Maggie Steffens led her team to victory Friday with a dominant 18-5 win over ROC. En route to that triumph, Steffens surpassed the Olympic record for career scoring at 48, surpassing Italy’s Tania Di Mario. And she did it all with a broken nose, sustained during that loss to Hungary.
Steffens’ record-breaking goal came in the third quarter and was her third of four total goals in the match.
With a jaw-dropping accolade and another win under her swim cap, Steffens and Team USA stand atop Pool B and look to win their third straight Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.