FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 01/20/2023
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Team Japan dominated the squad from the Czech Republic, 3-0, in semifinal women’s hockey action on its way to a showdown with Team Canada for the gold medal at the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games.
Japan came out with ferocity in the first period, controlling play with solid passing and a disciplined strategy.
“Well, we’re just playing our way so we just worry about ourselves and just control ourselves,” said Japan’s Head Coach Yujiro Nakajimaya.
For Czech Republic Team Captain Adela Juzkova, the start of the game wasn’t where she wanted her team to be. “We’re just following Japan and we’re not skating. So what we have got to do is start moving the puck faster and skating faster,” Juzkova said.
Japan’s Remi Koyoma of Waseda University scored the lone goal of the first period, with assists from teammates Ami Sasaki and Mei Sakurai.
It was clear by the second period that Team Japan was dialed in. The Czech Republic team struggled with passing, an early turnover, and three penalties. Japan took advantage of the extra skater opportunity, notching a power play goal, with 14:08 left in the period from Yoshino Enomoto. Enomoto was the only Japanese player to score in the team’s previous loss to the Czech Republic team during preliminary round play on Monday, Jan. 16.
Japan widened its lead midway through the third period, with Remi Koyoma scoring her second goal of the game at just over 10 minutes left. The Czech Republic team failed to regroup as frustrations mounted. Seconds turned to minutes, and catch-up time ran out for the Czech Republic.
Japan’s Chihiro Suzuki put the win into perspective for her team. “We dominated start to finish, and didn’t let them get the momentum, so I can’t ask for much more from the team.”
The FISU World University Games is the world’s largest multi-sporting event for collegiate athletes, ages 17-25. The 11-day Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games feature 1,443 collegiate athletes from 540 universities across 46 countries. The competition consists of 12 winter sports and 85 medal events contested throughout New York state’s Adirondack region, including Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Wilmington, North Creek, Canton and Potsdam.
Fans can follow the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with @LakePlacid2023, @SaveWinterHQ, #lakeplacid2023, #savewinter.
For more information about the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games or to purchase tickets, visit www.lakeplacid2023.com.
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