The Americans are headed to the women’s hockey semifinals at Milano Cortina 2026.
Team USA shut out the host Italians for a 6-0 victory in Friday’s quarterfinal to punch its ticket to the next round.
The U.S. got goals from Megan Keller, Laila Edwards, Bitta Curl, Hannah Bilka and two from Kendall Coyne Schofield in the dominating win.
Not only was their offence clicking on all cylinders, but the Americans were suffocating on the defensive end, holding Italy to just six shots on goaltender Gwyneth Philips.
Italian netminder Gabriella Durante played a major role in keeping her country’s deficit from growing too large, stopping 19 of 20 shots in the first period and 45 of 51 on the night.
While the USA ultimately cruised to victory, things did get chippy between the two sides, with 10 penalties handed out in the game.
The win made the U.S. the second team to advance to the semifinals, joining Sweden, which moved on with a 2-0 win over Czechia earlier Friday.
The field will be finalized on Saturday, following the results of Canada-Germany and Finland-Switzerland. Team USA will play Sweden in the semifinals unless Germany upsets Canada.
