TEAM USA 6-4 AT 2022 WORLD WOMEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
WCF / Jeffrey Au 2022
Team USA (Cory Christensen, Sarah Anderson, Vicky Persinger, Taylor Anderson, and Sydney Mullaney) is currently 6-4 at the World Championship in Prince George, British Columbia.
After a commanding 12-4 victory over Norway on Monday night, the Americans planned to carry the winning momentum with them through the remainder of the round robin.
Team USA then defeated Germany and Turkey, marking three consecutive wins for the Christensen-skipped rink.
“We’re really honing in on the ice,” said Sarah Anderson after picking up Team USA’s fifth win of the tournament with a victory over Turkey. “It’s fantastic ice we’re playing on and we’re doing a really good job communicating on what we need to throw.”
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Americans encountered arguably the toughest stretch of the round robin with matchups against Switzerland, Canada, and Sweden.
The United States kept the scoreboard close against top-ranked Switzerland.
Tied at 4-4 at the half, Team USA opened the second half strong with a deuce in the sixth end before the Swiss returned the score of two.
The eighth end proved to be pivotal as Switzerland stole two points to take a two-point lead.
Unable to generate a multiple score in the ninth, USA added only one point and was unable to comeback being down one without hammer in the final end.
Team USA then faced the hometown Canadian team, losing 9-3 after narrowly missing opportunities to enter the scoreboard in the first half, resulting in a 7-1 deficit that was unable to be returned.
Despite two frustrating losses, Team USA stayed determined to rally, relying on the same team systems that have helped them achieve international and national success in seasons past.
“We’re supporting our teammates out there and learning every game,” said vice-skip Sarah Anderson.
With two consecutive losses behind them, the Americans entered the matchup against Sweden, 2022 Olympic Bronze Medalists, with unmatched intensity.
“Every team here deserves to be here and are strong opponents, so we know we need to bring our best game every game,” added Sarah Anderson.
Sweden opened the game with a steal of one in the first end before the U.S. went on a roll with precise execution to score two and steal one, taking a 3-1 lead after three ends.
Sweden tied the game in the fifth end at 3-3, but the Americans controlled the hammer in the second half of the game, blanking the ninth end to be tied with hammer in the final end of the game.
The United States defeated Sweden with a takeout on the final stone to remain in the playoff hunt.
“Our last couple games we have not been playing our best so to come out today and have such a solid game against a great team, I think we’re feeling really good at the end of the round robin,” said Cory Christensen.
Team USA was scheduled to play Scotland on Friday morning, but due to an unfortunate Covid situation that resigned the team from competition, the forfeit gives the U.S. an automatic win.
The final round robin game for the United States will be against Denmark at 9:00pm CDT. With four losses, a win for Team USA would qualify the United States for playoffs.
USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Toyota, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People.
