USA Rugby Women’s All-Americans
The Women’s Rugby U20s Tri-Nations Cup are being held from August 7-18 at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Host Canada, England, and the United States will compete for the Cup. Matches will be available live online via www.rugby.ca.
USA v Canada
Canada’s Sophie de Goede added the first of her four tries from a 10-meter lineout with Tausani Levale converting to lead 12-5. Goede followed with another try soon after a set piece to push the lead to 17-5.The USA had strong runs by Finau Tamaivena and by McKenna Strong, but a forward pass and a turnover at the breakdown thwarted both attacks.
A try by Madison Gold increased Canada’s lead to 22-5 in the second half. The match then opened up as USA’s Tina A’au was sent to the bin with Sophie de Goede scoring two tries to make it 36-5.
The USA then cut the lead to 36-12 with a try by Emily Henrich and a conversion by Natalie Gray. The USA also had a breakaway by Mata Hingano, but Canada won a turnover and thwarted the attack.
Neither team added additional points with Canada gaining a 36-12 win.
USA Scoring: Tries – Alexandria Sedrick, Emily Henrich; Conversion: Natalie Gray
Canada Scoring: Tries: Sophie de Goede x4, Madison Gold, Niamh Haughey
Conversion: Tausani Levale (x3)
USA vs. England
The match between the USA Women’s Junior All-Americans and England was close at the break, but England broke open the match during the second half to win 43-17 at the U20 Women’s Tri-Nations Cup.
After a valiant effort saw them score two back-to-back tries to tie the game, the All-Americans had trouble responding to England’s sharp defense. Strong runs were interrupted by forced turnovers, disrupting the momentum and consistency the USA had built well into the game.
United States’ Mata Hingano and Finau Tamaivena both displayed brilliant performances, making precise offloads and breaking open to pressure the English side. Kayla Cannett’s dummy passes and quick dashes equally stunned the opposing defense and gave the U.S. a confidence that carried them through the first half of play.
England opened the match with a try by wing Lilian Stoeger-Goddard who went down the wide channel to lead 5-0. Strong forward play by England had Ellie Mulhearn scoring increasing the lead to 10-5.
The All-Americans answered with an offload from Captain Mata Hingano to Finau Tamaivena and Taimaivena finished with a try, cutting the lead to 10-5.
England answered back with a try by Sarah Beckett, pushing the lead to 17-5 before USA’s Hingano broke for a long run before being forced into touch. Finau Tamaivena finished the attack with a try, cutting the lead to 17-10. A couple minutes late, Hingano added another try to level the match at 17 all.
Just prior to the break, Sarah Beckett added her second try as England reclaimed the lead 24-17.
During the second half, the USA lost Tiana A’au as she was sent to the bin after a collapsed scrum. England quickly capitalized with a penalty try pushing the lead to 31-17.
Despite runs by Finau Tamaivena, Lauren Thunen, and Kayla Cannett, turnovers continued to thwart the USA attack.
England added tries by Atwood and another from a maul by Rosie Galliagan to gain a 43-17 win over the USA.
The Tri-Nations Cup provided future national team players with valuable experience. The team improved from the first match against Canada and a number of players appear to have a bright future as they progress through the All-American pathway.
- USA – Tries: Tamaivena 2, Hingano Cons: Henrich
- England – Tries: Stoeger-Goddard, Mulhearn, Beckett 2, Penalty try, Attwood, Brincat Cons: Green 2, Attwood
Tri-Nations Matches
- USA, Canada, and England Squads & Preview
- Aug. 7th – Canada vs the USA L 36-12
- Aug. 10th – Canada vs England L 36-22
- Aug. 14th – USA vs England L 43-17
- Aug. 18th – Canada v England, Wanderers Grounds, Halifax @ 4:00 pm local time (3 pm ET/12pm PT)
USA Rugby Women’s Junior All-Americans Squad
| A’au, Suiluana | Center | Central Washington University |
| A’au, Tiana | Prop | Central Washington University |
| A’au, Tiara | Prop | Central Washington University |
| Arena, Destiny | Hooker | Lindenwood University |
| Bargell, Cassidy | Wing | Summit Rugby (HS) |
| Canett-Oca, Kayla | Flyhalf | Penn State University |
| Cervinski, Sydnee | Fullback | Life University |
| Freeman, Morgan | Flanker | Ft. Miami Rugby |
| Fromstein, Elisha | Hooker | Penn State University |
| Gray, Natalie | Lock | Lindenwood University |
| Haungatau, Fane “Eti” | Prop | SacPAL Rugby (HS) |
| Henrich, Emily | Center | Orchard Park Rugby (HS) |
| Hingano, Mata | Center | Utah Valley University |
| Jones, Tori | Prop | University of Notre Dame |
| Manu, Isabel | Prop | Lindenwood University |
| Matina, Aniya | Flanker | Provo Steelers (HS) |
| Ortiz, Olivia | Scrumhalf | Davenport University |
| Pasioles, Mary Jane | Scrumhalf | Central Washington University |
| Sedrick, Alexandria | Wing | Life University |
| Strong, Mckenna | Lock | Lindenwood University |
| Tamaivena, Adi Finau | No. 8 | Seattle Saracens |
| Thunen, Lauren | Flanker | University of California Santa Barbara |
| Tuilaepa, Penina | Prop | Lindenwood University |
| Wilson, Elizabeth | Flanker | Northern Virginia Rugby (NOVA) |
| Tancredi, Samantha | Lock | North Bay Rugby (HS) |
WOMEN’S JUNIOR ALL-AMERICANS U20 TRI-NATIONS CUP STAFF
WJAA Head Coach – James English
Coach – Rob Cain (Head Coach of Women’s 15s National Team)
Coach – Kate Daley
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Ian Jones
Athletic Trainer – Katherine Henry
Team Manager – Kirstin Maurer
Pathway Manager – Anna Kunkel
Canada
Erika Barton – Guelph University/Kingston Panthers (ON)
Brooke Bazian – UBC Thunderbirds (BC)
Keegan Branter – University of Lethbridge/Lethbridge Rugby Club (AB)
Mackenzie Carson – UBC Thunderbirds/Bristol Bears (BC)
Hannah Daniels – Queen’s University/Aurora Barbarians (ON)
Sophie de Goede – Queen’s University/Castaway Wanderers (BC)
Abby duGuid – University of Lethbridge/Edmonton Pirates RFC (AB)
Madison Gold – UBC Thunderbirds (BC)
Zoe Goodwin-Sutton – UVic Vikes/Westshore RFC (ON)
Sasha Guedes – UVic Vikes/Beaconsfield (QC)
Amelia Hatfield – St Francis Xavier University/Halifax Tars RFC (NS)
Niamh Haughey – Brock University/Saracens (ON)
Rachel Hickson – Queen’s University/Kingston Panthers (ON)
Asia Hogan – York University/Toronto Nomads (ON)
Courtenay Holtkamp – University of Alberta/Red Deer Titans (AB)
Taylour Hurd – Brock University/Oakville Crusaders (ON)
Idia Ihensekien – Dartmouth College/Oakville Crusaders RFC (ON)
Annie Kennedy – Acadia University/Windsor Machine RFC (ON)
Sarah-Maude La Chance – CEGEP Victoriaville/Club De Rugby Quebec (QC)
Tausani Levale – Abbotsford Griffins (BC)
Aly Macdougal – University of Calgary/Calgary Irish (AB)
Celia Martensson – Queen’s University/Aurora Barbarians (ON)
Maya Montiel – Ottawa University/Ottawa Irish Rugby Club (NB)
Harley Tucker – Acadia Universtiy/Windsor Machine RFC (AB)
Valerie Wideski – Acadia University/Westshore RFC (BC)
Non-traveling Reserves: Monquie Coffee, Sydney De La Mare, Sarah Klok, Emmi Merilainen, Holly Phillips, Taylor Price, Tia Svoboda, Alyana Scramstad, Caitlin Sears, Taejah Thompson
Canada U20 Staff
Jack Hanratty, Head Coach
Kelly Russell, Assistant Coach
John Lavery, Assistant Coach
Jocelyn Barrieau, Assistant Coach
Jeremy Steinbach, Strength and Conditioning Coach
Tom Mcleod, Video analyst
Danielle McNally, Physiotherapist
Sarah MacNeil, Manager
England
Lucy Attwood (Bristol Ladies, Bristol University), Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning, Loughborough University), Sarah Beckett (Firwood Waterloo Ladies, N/A), Hannah Botterman (Saracens Women, N/A), Brooke Bradley (Bristol Ladies / Exmouth Community College), Cara Brincat (Worcester Valkyries / Worcester University), Jessica Cooksey (Winscombe / Hartpury College)*, Tabitha Copson (Gloucester-Hartpury Women /Hartpury College), Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Ladies / Exeter University), Abigail Dow (Wasps Ladies / Imperial College London), Rosie Galligan (Saracens Women / Loughborough University), Akina Gondwe (Worcester Valkyries /Worcester University), Ellie Green (Harlequins Ladies, N/A)*, Detysha Harper (Firwood Waterloo Ladies, N/A), Amelia Harper (Loughborough Lightning /Loughborough College), Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women / Middlesex University), Victoria Laflin (Worcester Valkyries/ Worcester University), Ellie Mulhearn (Bristol Ladies, N/A), Phoebe Murray (Bristol Ladies / Bristol University), Ellena Perry (Saracens Women / Coventry University), Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury Women / Hartpury College), Lilian Stoeger-Goddard (Bristol Ladies / Plymouth Marjons University), Lagilagi Tuima (Bristol Ladies / Exeter University), Charlie Wilcock (Worcester Valkyries, N/A), Bethany Wilcock (Trojans Rugby /Brockenhurst College)*, Ella Wyrwas (Saracens Women, N/A)
* denotes new player to the squad
