The US Women’s Epee Team of Kelley Hurley, Courtney Hurley, Susie Scanlan, and Maya Lawrence defeated Italy in their opening round match. Photo Craig Harkins

The US team of Susie Scanlan, Courtney Hurley, and Maya Lawrence downed Italy in today’s opening round match 45-35 as reserve Kelley Hurley cheered them on. The US team will face Korea in the semi-finals.

The US team kept to a strategy of limiting Italy’s opportunities and forcing the Italian team to attack – opening up more chances by the US fencers to score on counters and use the clock as another ally on strip.

Down 20-18 at the end of four bouts, Lawrence took control of the bout for Team USA with a 4-0 win against Rosella Fiamingo. Courtney Hurley then blistered Bianca del Carretto 8-3 to put the US up by 7 touches, 30-23.

Mara Navarria was the star for Italy, going 7-4 against Courtney Hurley in the 2nd round, 6-4 against Scanlan and 7-5 against Lawrence.

Navarria was only able to cut the US lead to 5 points, however, and Scanlan and Hurley closed out their bouts to advance team USA to the semi-final round.

Korea defeated top seed Romania 45-38.

The US and Korea have met once before this season. In that match the US team posted a 44-42 win.

In the other half of the bracket, #3 China defeated #6 Germany 45-42 and #2 Russia downed the Ukraine 45-34. China and Russia will meet in the other semi-final match.

Match details: USA vs. Italy (via London2012.com)

BoutUSATouchesScoreTouchesITALY
1SCANLAN S44 – 33FIAMINGO R
2HURLEY C48 – 107NAVARRIA M
3LAWRENCE M614 – 144DEL CARRETTO B
4SCANLAN S418 – 206NAVARRIA M
5LAWRENCE M422 – 200FIAMINGO R
6HURLEY C830 – 233DEL CARRETTO B
7LAWRENCE M535 – 307NAVARRIA M
8SCANLAN S540 – 333MOELLHAUSEN N
9HURLEY C545 – 352FIAMINGO R

 

Share: