Tabitha Peterson’s late draws lift U.S. women to 6-5 comeback win over China
The United States women's curling team pulled off a dramatic 6-5 comeback over China on Sunday, stealing the ninth and 10th ends to turn a 4-1 halftime deficit into a morale-boosting victory. The win pushes Team USA to 4-1 in the round-robin at the 2026 Winter Games, with three matches remaining.
How the comeback unfolded
The match looked to be slipping away for the Americans after five ends, when China led 4-1. The U. S. responded in the sixth with a two-point end that cut the gap to 4-3 and then chipped away with singles in the eighth and ninth. With momentum building, the Americans forced errors at the most crucial moments.
Facing a one-point deficit going into the ninth, the U. S. capitalized when China failed to remove an American stone from the button, allowing the visitors to steal a point and knot the score at 5-5. The final end became a test of precision and nerve: China held the hammer and had a cluster of stones protecting the button, but Tabitha Peterson navigated a narrow path through the traffic with a delicate draw to the back of the four-foot. China’s final attempt came up light, leaving the American stone closest to the center and handing the U. S. the steal and the victory.
Key shots, strategy and momentum
Tabitha Peterson’s final throw — a measured draw down the right side that found space behind traffic and parked on the back of the four-foot — proved decisive. The throw followed an earlier miss by Peterson in the 10th that helped her dial in the right weight for the game-winner. Sweepers executed perfectly on the final shot, and strategic choices earlier in the match paid off: the U. S. tightened draw speed after a team meeting at the midgame break and focused on keeping pressure on China to make difficult shots.
Statistically, the match was tight. China finished with a slight edge in shooting percentage, 84-83, and dominated in takeouts with 42 compared to the U. S. ’s 16. Still, the Americans' ability to manufacture steals in the ninth and 10th underscored the value of tactical patience and shot-making under pressure.
Standings implications and what’s next
The rally lifts Team USA to a 4-1 record after six round-robin sessions, sitting second in the standings behind the lone unbeaten team at 5-0. Switzerland lurks close with a 3-1 mark. Team USA will return to the ice Monday at 1: 05 p. m. ET to face host-nation Italy, aiming to build on a three-game winning streak.
The win also offers a jolt of confidence as the tournament moves into its final phase of round-robin play. The Americans showed resilience when it mattered most — a trait that can prove decisive in a format where a single steal or missed hit can determine which teams advance to the medal round.
China, now 2-2, will resume competition Monday at 3: 05 a. m. ET against Canada. The tight margins and clutch finishes on display in matches like this one promise continued excitement as the field jockeys for playoff positioning.
For Team USA, the takeaway was simple: keep the game close, trust the process and expect that late ends can still be stolen when the pressure is highest.
