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Katie O'Donnell scored a hat trick for Team USA in its win over China on Friday.
(Christine Baker, PennLive)
Having already played two impressive games at the field hockey World Cup, Team USA had its most dominant performance on Friday morning with a 5-0 win over China.
The national team moved to 2-0-1 in Pool B play, leaving Team USA tied with Argentina for first place in the six-team pool with two games to go. China dropped to 1-1-1, tied for third with Germany.
The top two teams in Pool B will advance to the semifinals.
Katie O'Donnell scoring three goals in the game.
The Wissahickon grad opened the scoring in the fourth minute, deflecting the ball at the left post into the goal. Rachel Dawson moved the ball into the circle and set up Melissa Gonzalez, who played the ball towards the goalmouth.
O'Donnell scored in the 30th minute as well, taking a crossing pass from Paige Selenski and redirecting it on net for a 3-0 lead.
In between O'Donnell's goals, Michelle Vittese scored on a reverse stick in the 10th minute.
Click here for a look at Team USA's composure through the World Cup.
Not only did Team USA hold a 3-0 lead over China at halftime, but the national team also did not allow the No. 7 team in the world a shot or corner in the first half. In fact, China did not have possession in the offensive circle until eight minutes into the second half.
Penn Manor grad Jill Witmer set up the fifth Team USA goal, scored by Kelsey Kolojejchick.
Team USA goalie Jackie Kintzer did have to make a couple of saves in the second half to earn a shutout in her 100th career international cap. She stopped two shots on China's five second-half corners. The Conrad Weiser alum was taken out to applause from the Team USA supporters with five minutes to go, as reserve Alesha Widdall protected the cage at the end of the game.
After those five corners, which came in a five minute stretch, the game's momentum shifted back to Team USA again. O'Donnell and Kelsey Kolojejchick each scored in the last two minutes. Jill Witmer, a Penn Manor graduate, set up Kolojejchick for the last goal.
The late goals improved Team USA's goal differential in the tournament up to plus-six. Goal differential is the first tiebreaker if teams finish with the same record in the pool.
Team USA's next contest will be against Germany at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, before closing out pool play at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday against South Africa.