The U.S. World University Games team has advanced to the medal round after a 5-0 quarterfinal victory over Ireland Aug. 24. The win guarantees the USA its highest ever finish in the history of the tournament; the previous top finish for the Americans was fifth in 1991. In the match against Ireland, South Carolina teammates Josh Wolff and Clint Mathis each had a pair of goals, and Creighton’s Johnny Torres added another. In the final match of opening-round play, Virginia midfielder Ben Olsen scored twice and Torres had a third goal in a 3-1 victory over China on Aug. 22 to seal a berth in the quarterfinals. The U.S. will now face host Italy in the semifinals on Aug. 26, with the winner advancing to the gold-medal match. “We are playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said U.S. coach John Ellinger. “No one came in and told this team that they couldn’t win the gold medal.”