PARIS, France — Lee Kiefer and Team USA defeated Italy to capture the gold medal in the women's fencing team foil competition.
The U.S. team won 45-39 over Italy, which is the top-ranked women's foil team in the world. It's the first gold medal for the United States in a team fencing event.
Team USA is led by Kiefer, who has won the last two Olympic gold medals in the women's individual foil event, including in Paris on Sunday. Kiefer is the first American fencer to capture three Olympic gold medals.
The U.S. team jumped out to an early lead with Kiefer and Lauren Scruggs. Team USA led after every relay and took a commanding 40-32 lead into the final relay.
Italy's Arriana Errigo worked to erase the U.S. lead with a 7-2 run to start the final relay. But Scruggs defended well and ensured the U.S. won with a 45-39 mark as time expired.
Jacqueline Dubrovich and Maia Weintraub also competed in the match for the United States.
The only previous time Team USA reached the gold medal round in this event was at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where they received the silver medal after losing to Russia. The men's only silver medal in the team foil event came at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics.
Thursday's match marks the fifth fencing gold medal all-time for the United States, which includes individual men's and women's events. Italy leads the sport with 49 gold medals.
Japan won the bronze medal after beating Canada.
