The Aussie Stingers succumbed to the United States of America in the gold-medal final of the women's water polo FINA World League Super Finals in La Jolla today.

The game went to a penalty shootout after it was locked at 7-7 after regulation time and the USA sent in all five shots to Australia's four.

For the defendjng champion it was its fifth crown in seven years while Australia added a second silver to its three bronzes in the same period.

Australia also lost its group game to the USA by penalty shootout on Tuesday in a tournament where eight of the 24 matches went to penalties, so close was the eight-team competition.

In both losses the Aussie Stingers had crucial non-calls in the final minute, which heavily influenced the result.

Australia trailed 4-2 at halftime and 5-4 at the final break, drawing level at the top of the fourth and even leading 7-6 with two minutes remaining.

As on Tuesday, Australia conceded a late goal to go to extra time.

In the 10-shot shootout, which saw a tournament-high nine goals, the seventh shooter, Jemma Dessauvagie, had her shot tipped out by USA goalkeeping MVP, Betsy Armstrong.

Captain Bronwen Knox, named to the tournament team along with fellow centre forward Gemma Beadsworth, scored four goals.

In the bronze-medal match, Greece headed off Russia 8-7, also in penalty shootout, after a 5-5 scoreline. China beat Hungary 8-7 for fifth and Olympic champion Netherlands downed world No 2 Canada 8-6 for seventh.

Australian Water Polo