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‘It gets your blood flowing’: US-Canada hockey rivalry peaking for Olympics

(Derek Leung/Getty Images)

It will be three years ago this coming February that the United States women’s hockey team defeated Canada in a shootout at the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang to capture Olympic gold.

Much has transpired since that historic day.

While the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the women’s hockey calendar over the past two years, new faces emerged on the Canadian and American teams. The IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championship returned in August, with Canada regaining its form and defeating the United States in the gold-medal game on Marie-Philip Poulin’s overtime winner.

Now, the Rivalry Series, which features a total of nine games over four months, gives the teams a chance to reignite the competition in different American and Canadian cities. And with the Beijing Olympics under 100 days away, the longtime rivalry is peaking once again.

“It motivates you and helps build on your successes,” Hilary Knight said after Team USA’s Game 3 victory in the Rivalry Series. “You can sit back and say, ‘OK, what worked well? What didn’t work?’ But winning always feels good. That’s why we sign up as competitors.”

The storied battles between these two teams began with the United States defeating Canada 3-1 at the 1998 Nagano Games, the first time the Olympics featured women’s ice hockey. For the next 16 years, Canada dominated at the Games, completing a run of four straight gold medals with a dramatic overtime win in Sochi in 2014, courtesy of Poulin. Team USA’s win in PyeongChang not only snapped Canada’s streak but also proved to the world that the Americans weren’t going away.

Every time the players lace up their skates and put on their respective jerseys, the rivalry is reborn.

“I think both teams match up well against each other and we can expect a battle moving forward,” said Canada head coach Troy Ryan.

Canada took Games 1 and 2 of the Rivalry Series in October. On the ice in Hartford, Conn. and Allentown, Penn., the Canadians outscored the Americans 6-3, with Sarah Fillier and Emily Clark leading Team Canada with two goals each.

As the series shifted to Kingston and Ottawa for Games 3 and 4 last week, fans packed the arenas to watch the best women’s hockey players in the world. Game 3 started well for Team Canada. Poulin fired a blazing wrist shot through traffic on the power play to open the scoring. Not even two minutes later, Fillier’s shot off the faceoff made it 2-0 Canada.

But then Team USA found its form, wearing the Canadians down with physical play on the boards and winning puck battles. Hayley Scamurra brought Team USA within one before Game 3 turned into the Hilary Knight show. The star forward scored to tie the game and and then slotted home the overtime winner to give the U.S. a 3-2 victory.

Goalkeeper Maddie Rooney led the way for Team USA in Game 4, helping the U.S. overcome Canada’s 26-20 shot advantage to win 2-0 behind goals from Knight and Amanda Kessel.

“It’s never easy losing to the Americans,” Poulin said.

The U.S. team has a new look to it three years after PyeongChang, most notably behind the bench. Interim head coach Joel Johnson will lead the U.S. into Beijing after Bob Corkum, who succeeded Robb Stauber in 2018, stepped down earlier this year due to COVID-19 concerns. While mainstays Knight, Kessel and Brianna Decker return, Team USA will replace stars like Meghan Duggan, Monique Lamoureux-Morando and Jocelyn Lamoureux-Davidson with an influx of young players looking to make their mark in Beijing.

Jincy Dunne, a 24-year-old defender, made Team USA’s 25-player roster for the 2014 Sochi Olympics but was cut when the roster had to be trimmed down to 21. Just 17 years old at the time, Dunne would have been the youngest player ever to skate for a U.S. women’s hockey team at the Olympics.

Over the years, she’s picked up valuable experience, winning gold at the U18 World Championship and the 4 Nations Cup. At Ohio State, Dunne was named the university’s Female Athlete of the Year and was a two-time AHCA First-Team All-American.

“Each squad is going to be different,” said Team USA blueliner Megan Keller. “We have a whole new team with veterans and rookies. You have to find your chemistry as a team and who you are. We’re looking ahead to 2022, focusing on one step at a time and getting to the next level.”

Team Canada is taking a similar approach, with veterans like Poulin and Natalie Spooner mentoring the talented newcomers.

Fillier, 21, is one of those players who can make an impact now and into the future for Canada. The Princeton alum made her Canadian national team debut in 2018 at the 4 Nations Cup before being named Ivy League Rookie of the Year after the 2018-19 college hockey season. Fillier’s playmaking and ability to create offense have made her a potential top-six forward on the Canadian Olympic squad.

“She’s a highly skilled player who plays the game with a lot of speed,” Ryan said. “She’s gained a lot of confidence over the last year. She’s made some great adjustments to her game to consistently contribute, whether it’s on the power play or 5-on-5. I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot of her moving forward.”

Since the win at the World Championships, Ryan has preached the importance of showing up to work to get better every day and taking each game as it comes.

“The focus has been primarily on us being the best version of ourselves,” Ryan said. “The more we stick to what makes us successful, the better we’re going to be against our opposition.”

Every Rivalry Series game is an opportunity for the coaching staffs to evaluate players as they prepare to name their Olympic rosters.

“It’s fun to be around them every day,” Johnson said of the U.S. players in camp. “They’re making each other better. They’re making me better. They’re challenging me as a coach.”

Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney said that the Canadian Olympic team will be announced in the middle of December. Team USA is expected to unveil its final roster on Jan. 1.

The final games of the Rivalry Series, taking place in Canada in January after the announcement of both Olympic rosters, will serve as the most compelling tune-ups for Beijing. When the puck drops on the Olympic ice in February, the players will be ready to add another chapter to the storied rivalry.

“It gets your blood flowing in a different way, and it brings the best level of a competitor in you,” Knight said about facing Team Canada. “There’s nothing like suiting up, throwing the jersey on, and going out there with all the pride on the line.”

“We’ve got a great group here and we are just focusing on the process,” said Canada forward Jamie Lee Rattray. “Every day, we get up to go to work and take it day by day. We show in these games against them that we can play with a lot of grit, that we have our backs out there, which is something that builds a team over the year.”

Lukas Weese is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports. He also serves as Associate Editor at Sportsnet and has contributed to other outlets such as The Toronto Star and The Undefeated. Follow him on Twitter @Weesesports.

Australia, Manchester City Rising Star Mary Fowler Ruptures ACL

Manchester City star Mary Fowler of Australia warms up before the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and Korea Republic before her ACL injury.
Manchester City confirmed the Matildas star's season-ending ACL injury earlier this week. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australia and Manchester City forward Mary Fowler exited last Sunday’s FA Cup semifinal with a confirmed ACL injury, cutting short what had been a promising season for the young international star.

“Mary will remain under the care of the club’s medical team and start her rehabilitation,” City said after the team’s 2-0 loss to crosstown rivals Manchester United.

“It’s never easy when something like this happens, especially when you’ve been working so hard and feeling good,” Fowler added.

Fowler scored six goals in 17 WSL appearances for Manchester City this season, coupled with a league-leading seven assists. She joined City in 2022 from French side Montpellier, signing a four-year contract with the English team.

The news adds to City’s mounting injury tally, as the fourth-place team enters the UK league’s home stretch with Vivianne Miedema, Bunny Shaw, and Alex Greenwood on the sidelines. Additional unavailable players include Jill Roord, Laura Blindkilde-Brown, Aoba Fujino, Rebecca Knaak, and Lauren Hemp.

Manchester City star Mary Fowler (R) of Australia Kim Hyeri (L) of Korea Republic compete for the ball during the International Friendly match between Australia Matildas and Korea Republic before tearing her ACL.
Fowler scored 16 goals over 64 appearances for Australia. (Andy Cheung/Getty Images)

Fowler injury leaves 2026 Asian Cup fitness in question

Fowler's recent ACL tear has broader implications than club play.

Australia is set to host 2026 Asian Cup, with the 22-year-old striker expected to lead the Matildas' frontline at the tournament. However, with a lengthy rehabilitation process ahead, Fowler might not be available to represent her country when the Asian Cup kicks off next March.

“This is tough news for Mary and for all of us who know the dedication and passion she brings to her craft,” Matildas interim head coach Tom Sermanni said in a national team statement. “She’s an exceptional talent and a much-loved member of our team, and we know she’ll meet this challenge with the same courage she brings to the pitch.”

“Everyone in the Matildas and Football Australia family – players, coaches, and support staff – will be right behind Mary as she takes the first steps toward her comeback,” he continued.

Fowler debuted for Australia's national team in 2018. She went on to score 16 goals over 64 appearances.

Conference Realignment Stacks SEC, Shakes Up NCAA Softball

Oklahoma's Nelly McEnroe-Marinas scores during a 2025 NCAA softball game.
New SEC team Oklahoma dropped to No. 4 in this week's NCAA softball poll. (BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN/USA TODAY NETWORK)

NCAA conference realignment drastically altered this year's college sports landscape, affecting volleyballbasketball, and, now, softball, as former titans lose ground while others rise to the occasion.

After years dominating the Big 12, four-time reigning NCAA softball champions Oklahoma are now riding the ups and downs of the stacked SEC.

The Sooners recorded a loss to unranked Missouri and fell twice to then-No. 10 Tennessee last month, before dropping two of three games to then-No. 22 Alabama this week.

With the now-No. 17 Crimson Tide's victories, Oklahoma fell two spots to No. 4 in Tuesday's ESPN/USA Softball rankings update.

Similarly, after adding a pair of weekend losses to then-No. 5 Tennessee alongside earlier stumbles against ranked SEC foes Florida and Mississippi State, former Big 12 standout No. 1 Texas took a tumble, with the 2024 runners-up Longhorns sliding to No. 3 this week.

While those wins earned the Vols a boost to No. 2, a dark horse SEC squad took over the sport's No. 1 spot on Tuesday, when a 12-game winning streak lifted the Texas A&M Aggies atop both the SEC table and the national rankings for the first time in program history.

Texas A&M softball celebrates a three-run blast from freshman second baseman KK Dement during a 2025 SEC softball game.
Texas A&M is the No. 1 NCAA softball team for the first time in program history. (Evan Pilat/Texas A&M Athletics)

SEC solidifies itself as top NCAA softball conference

The fall of NCAA softball's recent giants from the sport's elite spots isn't due to a decline in Oklahoma's or Texas's play, but simply a result of the intense level of competition and talent in the SEC.

The conference now lays claim to all of NCAA softball’s top four teams — plus seven of the Top 10.

With the college softball postseason looming next month — not to mention the eight-team Women's College World Series beginning on May 29th — the SEC is proving itself the conference to beat in the 2025 title hunt.

Texas softball's Leighann Goode tries to tag out LSU's Tori Edwards during a 2025 SEC game.
No. 3 Texas hopes to bounce back by sweeping No. 9 LSU this weekend. (Mikala Compton/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK)

How to watch SEC softball this weekend

While No. 1 Texas A&M will take the weekend off after closing out a three-game series against Missouri early Friday afternoon, both No. 3 Texas and No. 4 Oklahoma will be battling in SEC series.

The Longhorns hope to sweep No. 9 LSU after claiming a 7-3 series-opening win on Thursday. Friday's first pitch between the pair is at 5:30 PM ET on SECN+, with Saturday's final game beginning at 12 PM ET on ESPN2.

The Sooners will kick off their own three-game slate against No. 15 Mississippi State at 5 PM ET on Friday, streaming live on SoonerSports. The pair will close out the series with a Sunday doubleheader beginning at 3 PM ET, with both games airing on SECN+.

NWSL Rivalries Kick Off Weekend Lineup with Cascadia Clash

Seattle's Jordyn Bugg defends NWSL rival Portland's Payton Linnehan during a 2024 Cascadia Clash match.
Portland will look to build on their first 2025 win in a Cascadia Clash against NWSL rivals Seattle. (Soobum Im/Imagn Images)

With a trio of old and new rivalries on deck, the 2025 NWSL season's fifth matchday promises budding top-table rivals, a bicoastal clash, and one of the league’s longest regional feuds.

Plus, with only two points separating the No. 5 and No. 12 teams in the standings, clubs will be focused on securing all three points as they strive to keep up with the season’s three remaining undefeated teams.

While the NWSL’s official Rivalry Week is still months away, this weekend’s key matchups provide some sneak-peek showdowns:

  • Seattle Reign FC vs. Portland Thorns, Friday at 10 PM ET (Prime): In the first Cascadia Clash of the season, the Thorns — fresh off their first 2025 win — face a Seattle team trying to turn around a two-game losing streak.
  • Angel City FC vs. Gotham FC, Friday at 10:30 PM ET (NWSL+): A classic East Coast vs. West Coast battle sees Gotham chasing Angel City up the table, as LA tries to keep their unbeaten streak alive against one of the league's more dangerous rosters.
  • Orlando Pride vs. Washington Spirit, Saturday at 5:05 PM ET (ION): The Pride downed the Spirit at the 2024 NWSL Championship before Washington enacted revenge in the 2025 Challenge Cup, with both powerhouses now aiming for regular-season bragging rights.

As NWSL teams push for early-season positioning, this weekend’s action promises to up the stakes by tapping into rising tensions and rivalries — both old and new.

Angel City hires new coach in Bundesliga's Alexander Straus

On Thursday, Angel City announced that the club officially filled its head coaching vacancy, hiring Frauen Bundesliga manager Alexander Straus to take over the LA team after his current season leading Bayern Munich ends on June 1st.

After more than a decade coaching in the club and youth national system of his home country Norway, Straus took charge of Bayern Munich in 2022, leading the German team to back-to-back league titles.

His 2024/25 squad is on track to claim a third straight Bundesliga trophy, and recently exited the competitive UEFA Champions League tournament in the quarterfinal round.

Following manager Becki Tweed's firing in December, ACFC tapped Sam Laity to serve as interim head coach as the club conducted an extensive global search for the permanent position.

"When we set out to hire our head coach, we looked for specific characteristics such as a dominant style of play, a proven winner at the highest level, a focus on player development, a collaborative mindset, and a leader in high performance," said ACFC sporting director Mark Parsons in a club statement. "Alex fits this profile at every measure."

Still undefeated entering the fifth matchday of the 2025 NWSL season, Angel City will continue under Laity until Straus's arrival.

The interim manager will then shift into an assistant coach capacity as Straus leads the 2022 expansion franchise as it hunts a second-ever postseason berth.

UWCL Powerhouses Face Off in 2024/25 Champions League Semifinals

Chelsea's Lauren James dribbles away from Barcelona's Aitana Bonmatí during their 2023/24 Champions League semifinal.
Chelsea takes aim at defending Champions League victors Barcelona in this weekend's semifinals. (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The 2024/25 UEFA Women's Champions League semifinals begin this weekend, as four powerhouse clubs familiar with the UWCL spotlight kick off their first matches of the two-leg round.

France's Olympique Lyonnais, Spain's Barcelona FC, and England's Arsenal and Chelsea will battle it out, with just two tickets to the winner-take-all May 24th final in Portugal on the line.

"The coolest thing about big tournaments and high-stake games is you might be expecting something, and you get something completely different," Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Lindsey Heaps told reporters this week. "That's when you see the best teams come out, and they're able to adjust."

Lyon's Lindsey Heaps and Melchie Dumornay celebrate teammate Tabitha Chawinga's goal during the 2024/25 Champions League quarterfinals.
Lyon will face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in Saturday's 2024/25 Champions League semifinal. (Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Champions League semis pit WSL against European elite

Arguably topping the four-contender list are defending champs Barcelona, with the Spanish side hunting a fourth UWCL title in five years. First, however, they'll have to contend with a stacked Chelsea team hungry to lift a first-ever Champions League trophy — one that could clinch a historic quadruple.

Meanwhile, with both the men's and women's sides reaching this season's Champions League semifinals, Arsenal will square off against eight-time champions Lyon in a quest to claim their first UWCL title in over 18 years.

Both WSL titans are chasing history against their European opponents, with Arsenal still the only UK team to ever win Champions League.

The Gunners will kick off the round by hosting Lyon in their 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium.

"Playing at the Emirates, and the hunger and the belief that we have as a team at the moment, we're going to go and play our game to the best we can," said Arsenal manager Renée Slegers.

With an estimated 40,000 tickets sold for the pivotal clash, Emirates provides an environment even Arsenal's opponents look forward to competing in.

"You always want these kind of crowds and this kind of atmosphere," Heaps said of the Saturday matchup. "Even if it's against you, it's the best thing in the world."

How to watch the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League semifinals

The first-leg matchups of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League semifinals kicks off on Saturday, when Arsenal hosts Lyon at 7:30 AM ET.

Then on Sunday, Chelsea will travel to Barcelona to take on the reigning champs at 12 PM ET.

Both matches will air live on DAZN.

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