March 4, 2017
USA Women’s Sevens Advance to Cup Semi-Finals After Win Against Ireland
Doug Coil
The USA entered the Cup quarterfinals after a 2-1 record in pool play. Their opening match found Ireland coming back with two tries to win 24-21. The Women’s Eagles 7s found themselves facing Ireland in a rematch and came away with a 20-12 win. They will face the winner of New Zealand and Russia next at 12:56pm PT.
The first try went to the USA, as they won a scrum then after a couple of phases Kristen Thomas drew in a defender and Naya Tapper went in for a try in the corner for a 5-0 lead.
Joanne Fa’avesi then took a quick tap to add another try at the 6th minute for a 10-0 lead.
Ireland attacked after the hooter and Stacey Flood narrowed the gap to 10-5 with a try in the corner.
The USA lost the opening restart of the second half, but turned the ball over at the breakdown. Kristen Thomas then found a gap in the defence and went in for a try and a 15-5 lead.
After some back and forth attacks, Naya Tapper found space around the wing and the Eagles had their fourth try for a 20-5 lead.
Ireland added a try just prior to the hooter by Megan Williams and Lucy Mulhall converted.
With the 20-12 win the USA moves on to the Cup quarterfinals.
Women’s Eagles Sevens: 1. Cheta Emba 2. Kelly Griffin 3. Kate Zackary 4. Nicole Heavirland 5. Ryan Carlyle 6. Alev Kelter (C) 7. Naya Tapper 8. Kelsi Stockert 9. Joanne Fa’avesi 10. Bulou Mataitoga 11. Kristen Thomas 12. Nicole Snyder
