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The United States women’s hockey team’s dominance continued with a 6-0 quarterfinal victory over Italy on Friday at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena to advance to the Olympic semifinals.
Entering the knockout match against Italy, Team USA had outscored its opponents 20-1 in four games, including a 5-0 shutout of Team Canada.
The team’s phenomenal play continued against Italy. It was their fourth straight shutout, extending Team USA’s shutout streak to 271 minutes.
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Team USA players celebrate a goal by Kendall Coyne, second from left, during the second period of a women’s ice hockey quarterfinal against Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 13, 2026. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
Team USA scored its first goal despite both teams having only four players on the ice due to penalties from both teams. Alex Carpenter won a faceoff cleanly against Megan Keller. Keller passed it to Laila Edwards, who immediately passed it back to Keller, and she buried a one-timer into the back of the net to give Team USA a 1-0 lead.
The American team dominated the first period, outscoring Italy 20-2 on penalties. Italian goalkeeper Gabriella Durante made a brilliant save to end the first period, reaching behind her with her stick to deflect Abbey Murphy’s shot in the final minute of the period.
Italy had a golden chance to get on the scoreboard in the first half when Justine Reyes escaped, but the opportunity was thwarted by Team USA goalkeeper Gwyneth Philips.
Team USA’s second goal came 1:41 into the second period on a sharp angle shot from Kendall Coyne Schofield. She buried the rebound on the end boards from the goal line, slotting it wide of Durante.
TEAM USA WOMEN’S HOCKEY SURPASSES FINLAND AT MILAN CORTINA GAMES, EQUALS OLYMPIC RECORD
U.S. players celebrate after a goal by Britta Curl, top center, during the second period of a women’s ice hockey quarterfinal against Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 13, 2026. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
Coyne Schofield wasn’t finished. She scored her second goal of the period on a kick after a sweet passing play from Britta Curl and Grace Zumwinkle left her one-on-one with Durante to make it 3-0.
Edwards added to the second-period avalanche with the team’s third goal in 3 1/2 minutes and the second in 26 seconds. Edwards was in the slot and fired a shot through a crowd past Durante into the top corner of the net to give Team USA a 4-0 lead.
The U.S. team found itself shorthanded after a Rory Guilday boarding penalty, but scored the team’s fifth shorthanded goal of the game.
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U.S. players walk on the ice as fans high-five each other before the first period of a women’s ice hockey quarterfinal between the United States and Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 13, 2026. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
Team USA scored five goals in 25 minutes, the same time it took Italy to record its third shot of the match.
Hannah Bilka scored Team USA’s sixth goal of the match on a nifty pass from Taylor Heise, and after the goal, tempers flared. Fisticuffs were thrown by both teams after the goal, and coaches from both benches barked at each other.
At the end of the second period, the United States outshot Italy 39-4. No goals were scored in the third period and Team USA outscored Italy 51-6 on aggregate.
Team USA will play in the semifinals on Monday at 10:40 a.m. ET.
