Laila Edwards’ rocket caps dominant U.S. 6-0 quarterfinal rout of Italy as Americans close in on historic gold
MILAN — Laila Edwards delivered a searing shot through traffic that extended the U. S. lead in a 6-0 quarterfinal victory over Italy, a result that further underlines how formidable this American squad has been at the Winter Olympics. The win leaves the United States two victories away from Olympic gold, with the championship game set for Feb. 19, 2026 (ET).
Edwards’ goal punctuates one-sided performance
The defender’s rocket — which beat Italy’s goalkeeper through a heavy box presence — arrived amid a relentless U. S. onslaught. The Americans outshot Italy 51-6 in the contest and built an early edge that never allowed their opponent to get comfortable. The team has been overwhelming in every game so far, outscoring its first five opponents 26-1 and outshooting them 225-72 across the tournament.
After a first period that ended with a narrow margin despite puck domination, the U. S. unleashed a flurry in the second. Kendall Coyne Schofield scored twice and teammates including Britta Curl, Hannah Bilka and Megan Keller also found the net. Edwards’ third goal in the spree deflated any hope of an Italian comeback and sparked a raucous response from the crowd — the U. S. goal song reverberated through the arena as dominance turned to celebration.
The rout was not without heat. Late in the second period a scuffle in front of the Italian goal erupted after a goal celebration, with pushes and words exchanged while tensions ran high. Still, the scoreboard never reflected a contest: the United States controlled possession, generated scoring chances by the dozen and controlled the pace for stretches that left opponents searching for answers.
Depth, youth and chemistry: why this roster looks unstoppable
The makeup of this U. S. team has been a major factor in its runaway success. A deliberate roster overhaul since the previous Games blended college standouts and young pros with veteran leaders. Players like Abbey Murphy, Caroline Harvey, Tessa Janecke and Edwards have injected speed and bite, while stalwarts such as Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter provide experience and stability.
Coach John Wroblewski has emphasized a possession-minded approach: hunting loose pucks, making opponents defend for long stretches and reloading with fresh, hungry lines. That strategy has manifested in overwhelming shot totals and stifling two-way play. Both goaltenders have been reliable, and the lineup balance means scoring threats appear up and down the roster rather than resting on a single superstar.
Vocal praise has followed the team’s results. One former Olympic defender went so far as to call this the best U. S. women’s team ever, pointing to the depth of point producers, the speed on the ice and the blend of veteran leadership with youthful energy. Recent head-to-head results have reinforced that view: the U. S. has run off a streak of wins over its chief rival and produced lopsided outcomes that would have been unlikely a few years ago.
More difficult tests loom in the semifinals and beyond
Despite the ease of Friday’s victory, the tournament’s latter stages promise stiffer challenges. Opponents in the semifinals and potential final will present deeper defensive structures and more experienced scoring threats. Italy’s coach, who took charge of the team less than a year ago, praised his players for their effort and noted that single-elimination hockey can always produce surprises when a team executes a strong game plan.
The U. S. now advances with momentum and lofty expectations. With the gold-medal game on the calendar for Feb. 19, 2026 (ET), every shift from here on carries added weight. For Laila Edwards and her teammates, maintaining the current blend of intensity, depth and chemistry will be essential if this team is to cement its place in history.
