The U.S. women’s curling team concluded their pursuit of a historic gold medal on Friday, suffering a 7-4 defeat to Switzerland in the semifinals. With this loss, the Americans will turn their attention to the bronze-medal match against Canada scheduled for Saturday.
The semifinals showcased a tightly contested match wherein the U.S. initially took the lead. However, Switzerland quickly responded, scoring two points in the second end. Utilizing the hammer effectively, the Swiss team maintained their advantage, keeping the Americans at bay despite their efforts to close the gap.
Swiss vice skip Alina Pätz was instrumental in her team’s victory, boasting an impressive 99% shot success rate that consistently added to the scoreboard while stifling U.S. scoring opportunities. This dominance was particularly notable, as her strategic gameplay thwarted the Americans’ attempts to mount a comeback during the match.
In a notable twist, just a day before the semifinal, the U.S. had dramatically defeated Switzerland during the round-robin finale, with skip Tabitha Peterson clinching victory on the final throw of an extra end. However, the Swiss team, determined not to repeat their previous day’s disappointment, methodically executed their strategy throughout the semifinal. In the 10th and final end, the U.S. found themselves with a last chance to extend the game, but Pätz’s precise play ultimately sealed their fate by scoring two more points.
With this result, Switzerland advances to the gold medal match against Sweden on Sunday. The U.S. now stands at the brink of history, eager to secure their first-ever medal in women’s curling since its Olympic debut in 1998. Previously, the Americans fell short in the bronze-medal match against Canada during the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, making this upcoming match a significant opportunity for redemption. The spirit and determination displayed by the U.S. team may very well inspire a strong performance in their pursuit of Olympic success.