Australia’s Gabriella Palm, China’s Shen Yineng, and Canada’s Jessica Gaudreault discussed what it’s like to be the best goalie in their countries and what they’ve learned along the way. Here are their thoughts, in their own words…

Gabriella Palm (Australia) – age 26, goalie for more than 122 international matches

“I started playing goalie when I was 12. I was never much of a swimmer, so I always hung back and I liked being in the cage. I don’t think I have a particular style but I really try to use my length to my advantage. I’m 6-foot tall. My long arms definitely help in the goal.

“I don’t know if anyone in particular has the scariest shot. Every team has their pinpoint-accuracy shooters. I just make sure to watch them, know their habits, but I don’t think there’s anyone per se that I’m scared of.

“I don’t think it’s lonely in the net. I don’t find it lonely at all. When the girls come down to defend, I’m with them, and when they’re down at the other end doing their thing, I have a moment to myself. It gives me a time to take a breath, reflect, and refocus, so I don’t mind it.

“I really try not look at my number of shots versus saves.  If I’m getting a save, it’s doing my job for the team. That’s what I feel like I did today – regardless of shots versus saves. [Palm tended goal during an 8-7 penalty shootout in Group A on Wednesday to help Australia beat Netherlands, 15-14, after being tied 7-7 at the end of regulation].

“This is my second Olympics. If I had known when I started how much water polo would have given me, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I am so lucky.  When you’re in the pool and you only have the other girls in the pool to rely on, you create such a bond. I trust those girls. They trust me. It’s really hard to deliver under pressure – in front of a crowd like that. That bond gets us through the high-pressure environment. For a goalie, a shootout IS pressure. But that’s when you thrive. It’s just a matter of staying calm, looking at the ball, staying focused and being ready to react.”                                             

Shen Yineng (China), age 29, goalie for 6 international matches

“I started playing in goal age 17 because I’m so tall (188 cm), I am a quick thinker, have quick reflexes. That’s why I became goalkeeper.

“When I started, I wish someone had told me to stop hurting my knees. I was very hard working before so didn’t pay too much attention to my knees. I didn’t know how to protect them. I have had three knee operations: once on the right, two times on the left. I wear tape now. I need to get taped every day – on both knees. To keep them strong, I also stress the muscle around the knee in the weight room.

“Stopping goals, for me is the best part of being goalie."

Jessica Gaudreault (Canada), age 30, goalie for more than 153 international matches

“I started playing water polo when I was 13. After three days, my coach was like, ‘Yeah, you’re going in net.’ I was 5-foot-8. I was the tallest on the team so it made sense. And I didn’t really like the physicality of being a player, to be honest, being grabbed.

“When I was younger, I definitely wish I took it less seriously. I was a little too hard on myself. Like, the scoreboard. It’s ultimately our mistakes, but it’s still a team sport and we can still focus on helping our team.

“I think the individual aspect of being a goalie in a team sport is really cool. There’s a lot I can do individually to help my team change momentum.

“I don’t really look at my stats. In these games, a team can take two shots and if they score both goals, you can still lose the game. So whether or not I have 10 saves or six saves, it depends on the moment and how it changes the momentum in the game.

“When the rest of the team is down on the other side of the pool, I have a little breather. I focus on what they’re doing on offense and try to help communicate what the head coach or the clock is saying. It also helps me reset and think about the next play.

“Of all the players here, Rita [Keszthelyi] of Hungary definitely has a good handle on the ball. She’s able to move the ball like crazy. But I think Serena [Browne] on our team has the strongest shot in the world. Like, it hurts to stop those balls! In practice, she shoots on me like 50 times. That’s a lot! The other goalies are lucky they’re not getting practice shots with her.

“This is my first Olympics – but I’ve played in six World Championships and three Pan Am Games.

“The Michigan football team has a saying that ‘Those who stay will be champions,’ and that resonates with me because I’m older and I’ve stuck with this sport for a long time. Some people say ‘trust the journey,’ but that’s super-cheezy. For me, it’s more: If I stay and stick to my path, I’ll be a champion… whatever that means.”