MILAN, Italy — Laila Edwards scored twice and added five assists in the tournament to help the U.S. women’s hockey team outscore opponents 31-1 entering the gold medal game. Her first Olympic goal came in a 5-0 preliminary-round rout of Canada. She added a goal and assist in Monday’s quarterfinal win over Italy.

The Americans have not allowed a goal in their last 331 minutes, 23 seconds of play. They face Canada at 1:10 p.m. local time Wednesday for a chance at their first gold since 2018. Edwards, born Jan. 25, 2004, stands 6-foot-1, 195 pounds and shoots right-handed.

Edwards broke barriers as the first Black woman to play for the U.S. senior national team before making Olympic history. She joins fellow Ohioan Gwyneth Phillips, a goaltender, on the roster. Both hail from the Buckeye State.

Prior international success set the stage. At the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championships, Edwards notched a goal and three assists in the U.S. gold-medal run. The year before, she earned tournament MVP honors with six goals. Across 37 career international games before the Olympics, she posted 17 goals and 18 assists.

After the Olympics, Edwards returns to the University of Wisconsin for her senior season. She has racked up 36 points — eight goals, 28 assists — in 21 games this year. Last season, she led the nation with 35 goals, earned first-team All-America honors and reached the Patty Kazmaier Award finals as the top collegiate player. The Badgers won the national title that year. Her sister Chayla also plays for Wisconsin.

Cleveland Heights roots run deep. Edwards began playing in the local youth program at age 5 alongside her sister and brothers. Her first championship came at the Mites B level with Heights. She later moved to Rochester, N.Y., for high school hockey.

The community has rallied behind her. Local bars extended hours to air U.S. games live. Jason and Travis Kelce, Cleveland Heights natives and NFL stars, covered travel expenses for Edwards’ family in Italy, according to reports.

Edwards’ rise from Northeast Ohio ice rinks to Olympic stardom highlights hockey’s growing diversity. Team USA officials praised her poise in high-stakes moments. Her performance has drawn national attention as the gold medal hangs in the balance.