Katie Bam leads Team USA to third straight win

Katie Bam leads Team USA to third straight win

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NBC Olympics.com – Team USA stayed perfect in pool play with 6-1 rout of Japan and took over the top spot in the Pool B standings.

Katie Bam was a machine, collecting a hat trick off of three skillful field goals.

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The U.S. had full control over the game, starting with a Melissa Gonzalez goal less than a minute into play.

Not long after, Bam kicked into gear by deflecting a pass high into the cage that flew over Japan goalkeeper Sakiyo Asano.

With two minutes left before halftime, the U.S. ran another tricky play on a penalty corner attempt that had Katie Reinprecht taking the shot. She came through and just like that, Team USA completed its most dominant beginning of the Olympic tournament.

It didn't take much time for Jill Witmer to score the fourth goal of the game, but the Cherry Blossoms followed up on a penalty corner attempt when Mie Nakashima snuck one into the corner of the cage.

Bam had an answer for that, using incredible stick skills to weave through two Japan defenders and fire one into the goal. She finished off the scoring with another field goal before heading to the bench.

The six-goal performance puts Team USA ahead of Great Britain thanks to the goal differential. From last in London to first currently in Rio, this team doesn't just have a trip to the next round in its sights. They want a medal.