Four years ago, Danville's Maggie Steffens sat in the stands in Beijing and watched the United States women's water polo lose the gold medal match.
On Thursday in London, Steffens was in the pool and the rest of the world watched probably the best water polo player on the planet win her country the gold medal.
Steffens, a 19-year-old graduate, scored five goals to lead the United States to an 8-5 victory over Spain, securing the U.S.'s first ever gold medal in Olympic women's water polo.
The final caps an emphatic Olympic performance for Steffens. She led all goal-scorers in the competition with 21.
Her first against the Spanish came late in the first quarter with the Americans having a man-advantage, tying the score at one.
She found the net twice in the second quarter, as the Americans scored the last four goals of the half to go up 5-2 at halftime.
Steffens then scored the first goal on the second half and added another 40 seconds into the fourth quarter to put the U.S. up 8-3.
Spain would score twice in the final quarter, but it wasn't enough as the Americans celebrated winning the gold.
Jessica Steffens, Maggie's older sister, also played a role in the gold-medal winning victory, recording an assist and playing 22 minutes, 7 seconds.
Realated:
Danville's Steffens Sisters Advance to Olympic Water Polo Semifinals
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