TEAM SINCLAIR FINDS WIN COLUMN AT 2022 OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS
Photo by Bob Weder
The women’s field of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling played the third game of the round robin on Sunday afternoon.
After losing a close game to Team Rhyme on Saturday evening, Team Peterson rebounded in their match against Team Christensen. The difference maker proved to be in the sixth end of the game when Team Peterson scored four points by making a double takeout on their final stone.
With a 9-5 victory, Team Peterson handed Team Christensen their first loss of the tournament.
On the feature sheet, Team Rhyme faced Team Bear.
Team Bear was first on the scoreboard, but it was Team Rhyme with the first multiple score of the game by tallying three points in the second end.
Team Bear blanked an end before evening the score with a deuce, but Team Rhyme ran away with the game in the second half, adding four points to their total compared to Team Bear’s single.
"We're feeling really good, finding our rhythm and happy to be here,” said Kim Rhyme.
A victory over Team Bear improved Team Rhyme to a 2-1 record.
"In leading up to this, we really just focused on our mental toughness and our ability to control what we can control,” added Rhyme. “Just staying on top of our mental game more than anything else."
In the matchup between Teams Strouse and Sinclair, Team Sinclair found success in forcing Team Strouse to high-pressure shots, which paid off in the third end when Team Strouse faced two Sinclair counters with their final stone. Team Strouse came up heavy on a draw to the four-foot, resulting in Team Sinclair stealing two points to take a 4-2 lead.
In the ninth end, Team Sinclair secured a crucial two points to tie the game at 7-7 before stealing the win in the tenth end.
"Our coach said, 'wow, that was a great grind you guys had and a really veteran last end,’” said Monica Walker, third of Team Sinclair. “We played the right shots, missed the right way and were able to pull it out."
Team Sinclair’s 8-7 victory over Team Strouse gave the foursome their first win of the tournament.
"When your first day is two losses, you definitely want to come out the next day and get a win,” added Walker. “That's what we wanted to do, and we did, so we're really excited."
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