USA Women’s Eagles Has Strong Second Half, but Loses to Canada

Canada had the USA under pressure in the early in the match going to within 5 meters of the line, but good defense by the USA created a turnover & penalty. Alev Kelter unfortunately did not find touch and Canada brought the ball back to within 5 meters. Canada elected a scrum after a penalty and Kelly Russell picked and went in for a try at the 4th minute. Magali Harvey converted for a 7-0 lead.

Eight minutes later, Canada attacked wide from a scrum and then swung the ball back left through several phases allowing Julianne Zussman to go over for a try in the corner to increase the lead to 12-0.

Canada continued to have most of the ball possession and an offload by Brittany Waters to Magali Harvey added a third try at the 31st minute  for a 17-0 lead.

The first half did not find the USA Women’s Eagles having many attacking opportunities, but they did have a couple of excellent defensive efforts to keep Canada from adding points. They also created some turnovers at the breakdown.

Canada also continued to control the scrums. Even when the USA won a scrum, they were often on their back foot.

The USA can out strong with their best attack on the day. It was a real team effort as runs by Jordan Gray and Molly Kinsella moved the ball to within 5 meters of the line. The ball was tehn spun wide left and a Jess Wooden offload to Pheil to Tapper had Tapper step inside a defender for a try.  Kelter’s conversion was wide left, but the Eagles narrowed the gap to 17-5 at the 42nd minute.

The next twelve minutes had both sides moving the ball back and forth. At the 54th minute Magali Harvey added a penalty kick to increase Canada’s lead to 20-5.

Harvey then attacked into USA territory before a pass went to ground and Alev Kelter kicked the ball ahead and picked the ball before offloading to Tess Feury. Catie Benson then finished off this effort with a try in the corner. Kelter’s conversion was wide and the score was now 20-10.

Although the USA increased their second half attacking opportunities with some excellent play by their substitutions, Canada was opportunistic and added additional tries.

At the 60th minute, Lori Josephson took a quick tap from a penalty and Emily Belchos went in for a try. After Harvey converted it was 27-10.  A Belchos grub kick found Elissa Alarie who picked and ran the ball in for a try four minutes later. Canada’s final try came in the 76th minute as Karen Paquin found a gap and went to within 8 meters from the line. Canada used quick hands to create numbers as Magali Harvey added her second try in the corner for a 37-10 lead, as well as the full-time result.

Canada won both matches of the Can-Am Series and retained the Cup. The USA improved their performance during the second half as players tried to prove they deserve a spot for the Women’s Rugby world Cup.

USA Women’s Eagles – v. Canada (April 1)
1. Tiffany Faaee (C) 2. Joanna Kitlinski 3. Catherine Benson 4. Stacey Bridges 5. Molly Kinsella 6. Christiane Pheil 7. Sara Parsons 8. Jordan Gray 9. Annakaren Pedraza 10. Nicole Heavirland 11. Naya Tapper 12. Alev Kelter 13. Ryan Carlyle 14. Kristen Thomas 15. Jess Wooden 16. Phaidra Knight 17. Naima Reddick 18. Jamila Reinhardt 19. Alycia Washington 20. Kristine Sommer 21. Kelly Griffin 22. Kayla Canett 23. Tess FeuryCanada’s Game 2 Roster vs. USA: 1. Carolyn McEwen 2. Laura Russell 3. DaLeaka Menin 4. Tyson Beukeboom 5. Latoya Blackwood 6. Jacey Grusnick 7. Karen Paquin 8. Kelly Russell (captain)  9. Chelsea Guthrie 10. Emily Belchos 11. Magali Harvey 12. Amanda Thornborough 13. Brittany Waters 14. Elissa Alarie 15. Julianne Zussman 16. Jane Kirby 17. Brittany Kassil 18. Olivia DeMerchant 19. Kayla Mack 20. Cindy Nelles 21. Lori Josephson 22. Andrea Burk 23. Anais Holly

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