U.S. Tops Switzerland, 8-1

ZUG, Switzerland – Eight different players tallied goals as the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team defeated Switzerland, 8-1, in its second preliminary round game at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship at Bossard Arena on Monday.

“I thought as a team we grew and got better,” said Liz Keady Norton (Boston, Mass.), head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team. “Our message has been that we have to learn and grow each period, and there were a few things we were focusing on, but I’m happy with our performance.”

The U.S. opened the scoring just 2:10 into the game, when Molly Boyle (Scituate, Mass.), who was at the left point, passed to Alanna Devlin (Marshfield, Mass.) who was waiting in front of the net. Devlin spun around the defender and trickled a shot five-hole for the U.S.’ first goal of the game.

Ava Thomas (Downington, Pa.) extended Team USA’s lead to 2-0 just minutes later, converting a 2-on-1 pass down the right side from Devlin.

Early in the middle frame, Maggie Scannell (Wynantskill, N.Y.) corralled a rebound off a Mary Derrenbacher (Raleigh, N.C.) shot to extend the U.S.’ lead to 3-0.

Layla Hemp (Chanhassen, Minn.) kept the Swiss off the board during a power-play opportunity mid-way through the period. A cross pass deflected to a wide-open Swiss player at the crease, but Hemps pads were there to stop the puck.

With 5:45 remaining in the period, Maggie Averill (Wayland, Mass.) took a cross-ice pass from Jordyn Petrie (Lincoln, Neb.) for the fourth goal of the game. Less than a minute later, off a Swiss turnover, Josie St. Martin (Stillwater, Minn.) rifled a rising wrister from the left point to the top corner of the net to open a 5-0 lead for Team USA.

As time expired in the second, Kendra Distad (Burnsville, Minn.) sent home a rebound off a Scannell scramble, ending the period with the U.S. up 6-0.

Switzerland broke the shutout with 12:33 remaining in the game. On the power-play, Sonja Inkamp sent a shot in from just below the blue line, that snuck past a screened Hemp.

Just a few minutes later, Kassidy Carmichael (Westford, Mass.) tallied a power-play goal, Team USA’s seventh of the game. The team’s eighth and final game of the night was scored by Haley Box (Eden Prairie, Minn.) in the waning minutes of the game.

Team USA closes out preliminary round play Wednesday (Jan. 10) against Sweden. Puck drop is set for 12 p.m. CET (6 a.m. ET) and can be viewed live on NHL Network.

NOTES: Ava Thomas (Downington, Pa.) was named Team USA’s Player of the Game… The U.S. outshot Switzerland, 36-15.