Key Highlights
- The U.S. women’s curling team lost a three-game winning streak to previously winless Italy.
- Italy dominated the match, taking control early and running away with a 7-2 victory over Team USA.
- Mistakes by the U.S. compounded throughout the game, leading to multiple stolen ends by Italy.
- The loss brings Team USA’s record to 4-2 in the tournament standings.
The Hard Knock of Italian Ingenuity
Team USA’s women’s curling team had been cruising through their recent matches, but last Tuesday’s encounter with Italy was a stark reminder that anything can happen on the ice. You might think this is new, but… it’s not the first time they’ve faced such challenges.
The Early Struggles
Italy took control early and never looked back. After blanking the first two ends with hammer, Team USA allowed Italy to steal one in the third. This was the first stolen end for Italy in this tournament, but it wasn’t an isolated incident. The U.S. team struggled to get a feel on the ice, leading to compounded mistakes that gave Italy more opportunities.
Italy’s Stealing Spree
In the fourth, with the four-foot open, Team USA had a chance to get one point if they opened for a draw. Instead, they tried a heavy throw and a triple takeout but missed. This allowed Italy to steal two more points. The U.S. team was outshooting Italy (82-79 percent), yet Italy maintained the upper hand on draw shot percentage (91-81 percent) and takeouts (36-26).
Team USA’s Struggle
The loss wasn’t just about the score; it was about the process. Cory Thiesse, the third of Team USA, admitted that the team had a hard time getting a feel on the ice and felt they were chasing the game. “It was definitely a struggle for us out there,” she said. “Me, especially, just kind of had a hard time getting a feel on the ice.” Despite the difficulties, Thiesse maintained an optimistic outlook: “We’ve been playing really well all week and have had a great grasp on the ice. We still control our own destiny.”
Italy’s First Win
Their first win of the tournament, Italy’s victory marked a significant milestone for their team. Thiesse acknowledged their effort: “They’re a lot better team than what their record shows this week, so props to them on playing such a great game.” With the loss, Team USA falls to 4-2 and remains tied for second in the standings.
The U.S. women’s curling team will face Denmark at 8:05 a.m. ET on Tuesday morning. Let’s see if they can get back into the win column after this tough loss.
