TAMPERE, Finland – Behind a 14-save shutout from Ava McNaughton (Seven Fields, Pa./University of Wisconsin) and a four-goal offensive output in the third period, the U.S. Collegiate Women’s Select Team topped Finland, 4-0, in the opening game of the Six Nations Tournament on Wednesday evening.
“Today’s game was a good test for us. Finland is a talented team who really challenged us for all 60 minutes,” said John Wroblewski (Neenah, Wis.), head coach of the 2024 U.S. Collegiate Women’s Select Team. “I’m pleased with how we played in all facets of the game. We’ll now be ready for tomorrow’s game against Switzerland.”
Team USA controlled the momentum early in the game generating several quality scoring chances in the opening minutes.
Just 30 second into the game, Tessa Janecke (Warren, Ill./Penn State University) forced a turnover in the offensive zone, throwing a shot on net before the rebound was corralled by Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park, Ill./University of Minnesota) who could not put one past Sanni Ahola’s outstretched pad.
The teams traded chances as the contest remained scoreless in the opening frame.
Just 1:50 into the second, Lacey Eden (Annapolis, Md./University of Wisconsin) deflected a shot from the blue line on net, but Ahola clipped the puck to keep the tilt 0-0. Shortly after a point-blank rising shot from Janecke right outside the crease bounced off Ahola’s stick as the U.S. paced the game early in the middle frame.
With time expiring at the end of the second, Janecke and Murphy exchanged give-and-go passes, with Janecke’s final shot from the right post trickling just wide of the goal line.
Entering the final stanza, Team USA recorded four unanswered goals to take the game by a 4-0 tally.
GAME PHOTOS
Murphy opened the scoring with 15:29 left in the game. Laila Edwards (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/University of Wisconsin) ripped a shot from the point that whipped wide to a waiting Murphy who carried the puck around the net and lifted a rising shot behind Ahola.
Joy Dunne (O’Fallon, Mo./Ohio State University) added the team’s second goal with 8:17. As time expired on a Finland power play, Dunne floated a shot from between the circles to double Team USA’s lead to 2-0. Less than two minutes later, Murphy added her second of the game, Team USA’s third, chopping a shot past Ahola from the short side.
Ella Huber (Northfield, Ill./University of Minnesota) picked up her first goal of the tournament, an empty-net goal, with 3:13 left in the game to give the U.S. a 4-0 victory.
The U.S. continues tournament play tomorrow (Dec. 12) against Switzerland. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. local time (8 a.m. ET).
NOTES: Abbey Murphy was named Team USA player of the game … Team USA outshot Finland, 32-14 … The U.S. was 0-2 on the power play, while Finland was 0-3.
Source: usahockey.com