The 2024 U.S. Women’s National Team had a remarkable game against Finland, with Laila Edwards from Cleveland Heights, Ohio being named the Player of the Game. The team saw impressive performances from their young players and extended their lead to 5-0 after an amazing display of skill and teamwork.
The game began with Hannah Bilka from Coppell, Texas scoring the first goal 12:01 into the contest, seizing a rebound off a shot by Abbey Murphy from Evergreen Park, Ill. Tessa Janecke from Warren, Ill., added an assist on the play, putting Team USA up 1-0.
The U.S. extended their lead on the power play with 6:46 left in the middle frame when Janecke made an impressive pass across the offensive zone to Edwards, who scored with a short-side shot into the top corner.
Edwards scored her second goal of the game early in the final period after a clever move by Taylor Heise from Lake City, Minn., opened up a scoring opportunity. She completed a hat trick with a powerful shot from the slot off a pass from Kirsten Simms from Plymouth, Mich., increasing Team USA’s lead to 4-0 before Savannah Harmon from Downers Grove, Ill., scored a final goal with 3:50 left to secure a 5-0 victory for Team USA over Finland.
Goalkeeper Frankel stopped all 15 shots she faced, earning her fourth shutout of the tournament and setting a record for the most-ever at an IIHF Women’s World Championship. Kendall Coyne Schofield from Palos Heights, Ill., Megan Keller from Farmington Hills, Mich., and Aerin Frankel from Chappaqua, N.Y., were named Team USA’s top three players of
