Team Peterson kicks off Women's Nationals 2-0

DULUTH — After seeing defending men’s champions Team Shuster and finalists Team Dropkin cruise through their first match at the USA Curling Men’s and Women’s Nationals on Monday night, defending women’s champs Team Peterson followed suit on Tuesday morning.

Team Peterson, including vice-skip Cory Thiesse of Duluth, won both its opening games on Tuesday, taking down Team Giroux 9-3 in their opener before routing Team Cousins 14-4 at night.

Peterson’s rink didn’t give Giroux’s much of an opening in the morning match, as they allowed only three single points. A steal of two in the fourth end gave Team Peterson a 4-1 edge and a three in the sixth when they got the hammer back made it 7-2 and the finish largely academic.

The night match required only six ends after Team Peterson scored 11 points in the first three, including a whopping steal of six in the third.

The all-Duluthian team skipped by Courtney Benson stumbled out of the gate, losing their opener 7-6 to Team Cousins. After giving up a three and gaining the hammer ahead of the ninth end, the Benson rink was held to one and a tie game, allowing Cousins to finish it off in the 10th.

The biggest surprise of the day came when Team Strouse, the highest-ranked American women’s rink in the world ranklings, gave up a six in the sixth end and lost 12-6 to Team McMakin. McMakin and Peterson’s teams are the only ones through the first day of women’s competition with two wins.

The men had one afternoon match and the smooth sailing continued for the favorites, as Dropkin’s rink blanked Team Wendling 10-0 in six ends on Tuesday, including two steals of three.

Team Shuster cruised past Team Hodek 8-3 with help from a four-point sixth end to break a 2-2 tie at the fifth-end break.

Shuster, Dropkin and Team Casper, a 10-4 winner over Team Dunnam, are the only 2-0 teams in the field.

Shuster and Casper’s rinks will meet bright and early on Wednesday at 8 a.m. as both teams fit two games in.