USA take bronze

ByReuters

Published 26/08/2004 at 15:49 GMT

Centre fielder Ellen Estes scored three goals including the decider to help the United States beat Australia 6-5 on Thursday in the Olympic women's water polo bronze medal game.

Estes took a pass from the left side and put the ball into the top left corner of the net for the winner with two minutes 20 seconds left.

After a scoreless first quarter, the United States had netted four unanswered goals in little more than four minutes of the second quarter to jump ahead of the defending Olympic champions.

Australia fought back by scoring three goals in the third quarter. Centre back Belinda Brooks, who scored two, tied the game early in the fourth quarter.

Athens 2004