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Unified Korea's First Olympic Goal Brightens Loss to Japan

Fans erupted while the North Korean cheerleaders jumped from their seats in the most uncoordinated moves they've made yet

Korea lost its latest women's hockey game Wednesday, but it had plenty of reason to celebrate.

The 4-1 loss to Japan brought their first goal at the Olympics. It came at 9:31 of the second on their 33rd shot over three games.

Randi Heesoo Griffin from Cary, North Carolina, whose mother is South Korean, scored from the right circle off an assist from fellow American Marissa Brandt before the Koreans came together jumping and celebrating on the ice.

Fans erupted while the North Korean cheerleaders jumped from their seats in the most uncoordinated moves they've made yet.

The Japanese made more Olympic history of their own: a first Olympic victory in women's hockey.

Hanae Kubo and Shoko Ono each scored in the first period, Kubo's tally coming just 67 seconds in.

Japan came into its third Olympics winless, but it has the ninth-ranked team in the world and tops in Asia.

South Korea got a berth as host of the Pyeongchang Games and brought in six North Americans for their debut. The Koreans also had the added burden of playing with 12 North Koreans added to their expanded roster last month under an agreement between countries divided for seven decades.

Shin So Jung made 40 saves keeping Korea close. Then Shiori Koike scored on a slap shot from the high slot with 8:18 left, and Rui Ukita had an empty-netter with 1:27 to go.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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