U.S. Women’s Water Polo’s Decade-Long Dominance Comes to an End in Paris

Team USA had won the last three Olympic gold medals in women's water polo coming into the Paris Games. | Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

NANTERRE, France — After three straight Olympic gold medals, perhaps the most stunning run of dominance by a dynasty in sports, the U.S. women’s water polo team will do something that might be even harder: try to win bronze. 

Thursday’s 14–13 semifinal loss to Australia in penalty shots left the Americans grappling with a challenge this group has rarely faced. They will have to regroup after a defeat.