The clash paired two teams with 100 per cent records so something had to give at the University of California in Davis.

The match ended 5-5 after regulation time after the US battled back from a 4-2 deficit heading into the final quarter.

They levelled at 4-4 but the Australians went back in front again at 5-4.

Paige Hauschild equalised with just under one-and-a-half minutes remaining to force the shoot-out.

Sixteen-year-old American keeper Thea Walsh blocked the first Australian attempt by Isobel Bishop and the Americans sealed a 4-2 shoot-out success when Hannah Buckling missed her country's fourth effort.

It means the Americans have topped the round-robin with Australia second, so both sides will meet again in the gold medal match tomorrow.

Other games today saw Canada beat Kazakhstan 8-3 and Japan defeat China 11-6.

Japan have finished third and will play Canada, the fourth placed finishers, for bronze tomorrow.

Kazakhstan will play bottom side China for fifth place.

In addition, the US, Australia, Japan and Canada have all booked their place at the FINA World League Super Final after finishing in the top four.

Fifth place Kazakhstan miss out but China, as hosts of the Super Final in Shanghai, have an automatic berth despite coming last. 

Hungary, The Netherlands and Russia have already booked a place in the Chinese city through European qualifying.

Action will take place in Shanghai between June 6 and 11.