March 9, 2017
USA Women’s Falcons & Vancouver Rugby Festival
Doug Coil
Emilie Bydwell is coaching the USA Women’s Falcon at the Vancouver Rugby Festival. The Falcons lost to the Canadian Maple Leafs on day one Thursday 29-5 to open the Elite Division competition and then beat Stars Rugby 7s 40-0.
The Falcons finished with a 5-1 record at the Las Vegas Invitational, losing only to the Tribe, the Australian developmental side, 19-17 in the Quarterfinal. Five players from that squad and two Eagles from the squad that placed fourth at the HSBC USA Sevens are at this three day event.
Cassidy Bargell, who is 17, is joined by fellow Girls High School All-Americans powered by Atavus Suiluana A’Au, summer 2016 captain Atumata Hingano, and MaryJane Pasioles in Vancouver.
Capped Eagles Sevens players Sarah Buonopane and Nicole Strasko joined the Falcons, while Bulou Mataitoga and Kelsi Stockert were part of the EAgles squad at Las Vegas. Megan Sanders of the Seattle Saracens, impressed the national team coaching staff with one of Atavus’ teams in the LVI and also joins the squad.
According to USA Rugby, the Falcons are scheduled to play each of the three opponents in their pool twice this weekend, with the developmental side of South Africa the final matchup for both Thursday and Friday. Scoring updates from the Vancouver Rugby Festival can be found on BC Rugby’s website and the tournament’s Twitter account (@vanrugbyfest).
USA Falcons – Vancouver Rugby Festival
Suiluana A’au, Cassidy Bargell, Sarah Buonopane, Jennine Duncan, Megan Foster, Atumata Hingano, Bulou Mataitoga, MaryJane Pasioles, Megan Sanders, Asinate Serevi, Kelsi Stockert, Nicole Strasko
USA Falcons -Vancouver Rugby Festival
v. Maple Leafs – L 29-5
v. Stars Rugby – W 40-0
v. South Africa Select – Thursday, March 9 @ 7 p.m. ET
v. Maple Leafs – Friday, March 10 @ 1:35 p.m. ET
v. Stars Rugby – Friday, March 10 @ 3:45 p.m. ET
v. South Africa Select – Friday, March 10 @ 6:20 p.m. ET