Team USA’s Laura Dwyer and Steve Emt remain in the mix for a semifinal slot in mixed doubles curling after falling 10–1 to the Republic of Korea before beating host Italy 7–5.

The American duo is 3–3 in round robin play as the tournament moves into its final session of games. The three remaining spots in the semifinals are up for grabs among the United States, Great Britain, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Latvia. A win by Team USA in this final session will significantly enhance their chances of making it into the semifinals.

Republic of Korea versus Team USA

In session 5 of round robin play the United States lost to the Republic of Korea 10-1.

Korea established control immediately by scoring three in the opening end. The early scoring advantage allowed the Korean pair to dictate the pace of play and limit the Americans’ opportunities to generate offense.

After a scoreless second end, Korea added another point in the third to extend the lead to 4–0.

The United States broke through in the fourth end when Dwyer delivered a draw to score a single point and trim the deficit to 4–1 before the mid-game break.

Korea regained momentum immediately after halftime. Using its power play in the fifth end, the Korean team pushed multiple stones into scoring position and converted three points to stretch the lead to 7–1.

Additional points in the sixth and seventh ends pushed the margin to 10–1 and brought the game to an early conclusion as the Americans conceded the game.

Italy versus Team USA

The U.S. pair returned to the ice in the next session against host Italy and produced a more controlled performance to secure a 7–5 victory.

With the hammer, Italy took a one-point advantage in the opening end. The home crowd responded immediately, filling the arena with chants and noise as the Italian pair took the early lead.

Competing in her first Paralympic Games after serving as an alternate for Team USA at the Beijing 2022 Paralympics, Dwyer noted that she and veteran Steve Emt embraced the energy inside the arena.

“I just pretended they were cheering for me,” she said after the game. “Why not? It’s so cool. It’s not something I have experienced before.”

With multiple stones building in the house, the United States capitalized on open scoring lanes to generate a four-point second end, forcing Italy to play from behind for the remainder of the match.

Holding the hammer, Italy applied pressure in the third end, positioning several stones in the house. Dwyer’s final delivery limited the damage and forced the Italians to settle for a single point.

The United States restored control in the fourth end. Accurate placement from both Dwyer and Emt kept American stones in the scoring rings and eventually produced a single point to extend the lead to 5–2 at the break.

Facing multiple Italian scoring stones, Dwyer delivered a critical shot with her final stone to remove two counters and prevent a larger score. Italy still managed two points, trimming the American lead to 5–4 with the power play.

In the sixth, the United States elected to use its power play with the hammer, setting up the stones in a more aggressive scoring configuration. Italy responded with a well-executed takeout sequence and ultimately stole a point to tie the game 5–5.

With the game tied entering the seventh end, the Americans regained the hammer and reestablished control.

Dwyer opened the end with a stone placed directly on the button, and Emt added another well-positioned stone in the house. Italy removed several American stones late in the end, but the United States held on to score a single point and take a 6–5 lead.

The eighth end proved decisive.

Italy entered the final end with the hammer and built multiple stones near the button. After a late double takeout gave Italy the potential for three, Emt responded with a precise draw to the button to reinsert a U.S. stone into scoring position.

With the final stone of the match, Italy attempted to remove the American counter but narrowly missed their target. The miss allowed the United States to steal a point and seal the 7–5 victory.

Preparing for the final game of round robin play

Dwyer indicated that the team must maintain the same approach in their final round-robin match against China’s Wang Meng and Yang Jinqiao, who have already secured the first semifinal berth with a perfect 6–0 record.

Follow the game, Dwyer noted “We need to show up again tomorrow like we did today.”

While a win in session 7 over China won’t guarantee that the mixed double pair will move on in the tournament, a loss will likely send the pair home. Dwyer and Emt have a lot riding on their last game of round robin play.