WOMEN’S DAY ONE RECAP
Photo: Bob Weder Photography
After opening day for the women’s field at the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling, Team Christensen sits alone atop the standings with a perfect 2-0 record.
In Saturday morning’s draw, Team Christensen defeated Team Rhyme in a convincing 9-1 game after six ends of play.
"We are really focusing on our process goals for each game and really just trying to be precise with everything we do,” said Sarah Anderson, third for Team Christensen.
Able to carry that momentum into the second game, Team Christensen met Team Sinclair in Saturday evening’s contest.
Both teams exchanged single points in the first two ends, but it was Christensen’s steal of three that set the squad ahead early.
Team Sinclair answered with an opportunity to score three in the fourth end but rolling out on a takeout with their final stone of the game, scored two points to trail by one.
Despite exchanging singles for the next three ends, Team Christensen remained in control of play and found opportunity to steal three in the eighth end by forcing Team Sinclair to attempt a draw to the button against three of their counters.
“We are really happy with how we're playing, placing rocks and want to continue that into every game we play this week,” added Anderson. “It feels great to have two wins after the first day, but we know every team here is a top competitor, so we have to bring it every game."
In the other two matchups on Saturday evening, two teams found their first wins at the Olympic Team Trials.
Team Rhyme put pressure on Team Peterson throughout all 10 frames and made an outturn draw to sit shot under cover with their final throw of the game, ultimately forcing Tabitha Peterson to throw a double takeout on her final rock. Team Peterson hit the first rock too thick to remove Rhyme’s counter, earning Team Rhyme a 7-5 victory.
The defending Junior National Champions of Team Strouse rebounded with an 8-3 win over Team Bear.
"It feels so amazing and honestly, I'm just so proud of my team for going out there and playing to the best of our ability,” said Delaney Strouse. “We're really happy to be here, get games against the best teams in the country and try to pull off a few more."
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