Pallanuoto Trieste defeated SIS Roma 11-9 in Friday’s Serie A1 Women’s headline fixture, ending the visitors’ perfect domestic start and moving level with Ekipe Orizzonte at the top of the table.
It was Trieste’s first victory over Roma this season after the capital club’s 11-9 win in their Champions League qualifying meeting in October. This time, however, the home side produced the stronger response during the decisive middle stages at the Bruno Bianchi pool.
Roma made the first move through Bosveld, but Trieste quickly found a route back. De Vries scored from centre before Giustini converted a penalty to turn the match around. SIS Roma regained the lead at 3-2, only for Trieste to settle and take control of a high-quality contest between two title contenders.
The key stretch came either side of half-time. After Roma moved 4-3 ahead, Trieste hit back with McDowall and Klatowski before extending their advantage. McDowall’s work at centre, combined with sharp perimeter shooting and a composed defensive effort, helped the home side turn a one-goal deficit into a 9-6 lead by the end of the third period.
Giustini added another important goal early in the second half, while Trieste also survived a major moment when SIS goalkeeper Sesena stopped a penalty. Roma stayed in touch through Cocchiere and Zaplatina, but could not fully recover the gap.
The visitors made one final push in the fourth quarter. Zaplatina and Picozzi reduced the deficit, raising the pressure on Trieste with little more than three minutes remaining. Veronica Gant then delivered a crucial finish at the near post for 10-8, giving the hosts the breathing room they needed.
Klatowski and Bosveld traded the final goals as Trieste closed out an 11-9 win. Both sides had a player excluded with substitution late in the match, but Trieste kept their composure to see out the result.
The victory lifts Trieste to 15 points from six matches, level with Ekipe Orizzonte, who still have a game in hand. SIS Roma remain on 12 points after suffering their first league defeat of the campaign.
Trieste will next turn their attention to an away match against Lazio, while SIS Roma face Nautilus Civitavecchia in their next scheduled Serie A1 fixture.
Homepage
Read more about women’s water polo
Visit the WP360 Shop!
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X