Team USA's women's hockey team advanced to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics semifinals with a commanding 6-0 victory over host nation Italy, outshooting their opponents 51-5 and keeping their perfect tournament record intact.
The dominant performance sends the Americans one step closer to their goal of capturing Olympic gold.
Forward Britta Curl-Salemme emphasized the team's focus following the win. "We're here to win a gold medal," she said, adding that the team remains committed to playing "the game the right way" as the competition intensifies.
For Curl-Salemme, the Olympic stage represents both the fulfillment of a childhood dream and a testament to perseverance. The North Dakota native first learned to skate on a backyard rink built by her father in Bismarck and began dreaming of the Olympics at a young age. Throughout her journey, her Catholic faith has remained a steady foundation.
Raised in a family devoted to Sunday Mass and Catholic education, Curl-Salemme continues to prioritize Scripture reading and worship even amid the demands of elite competition. She has spoken openly about how her faith provides clarity and peace, especially after the disappointment she faced ahead of the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when unforeseen circumstances prevented her from competing.
Reflecting on that setback, she has shared that the experience deepened her trust in God and reminded her that her identity extends beyond hockey.
Now competing on Olympic ice in Italy - a country rich in Catholic history - Curl-Salemme says her faith gives her strength, perspective, and purpose as Team USA prepares for the semifinal round.
