The Women’s Eagles Sevens Head Coach Chris Brown has made one change in the squad for the HSBC Canada Sevens with Abby Gustaitis replacing Cheta Emba. The team won a Bronze medal in Kitakyushu, their third trip to the podium. Previously, the team has not won more than two medals in a single season. The team is currently in third place in the standings with the top four at the end of the season qualifying for the 2020 Olympics.
Co-Captain Lauren Doyle, Alev Kelter, and Naya Tapper have been try-scoring threats. Nana Fa’avesi nd Nicole Heavirland have been playmakers. Ilona Maher, Kristi Kirsche, Meyer Bizer, and Jordan Matyas are powerful is the attack and in defense. Kayla Cannett and Kris Thomas are also scoring threats.
The USA women will face Spain, Fiji, and France in Pool C on Day One at Westhills Stadium in Langford. Spain is ranked ninth in the World Series standings with Fiji tenth and France fifth. The Eagles Sevens defeated the French to win their historic Bronze in Kitakyushu.
While France is 18 points behind the third-place USA, a win over the United States and a berth in the Cup Quarterfinals is paramount to close the 10-point gap that separates them from fourth-place Olympic qualification. The top four teams at the conclusion of the Series will qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 which makes every match both in the pool rounds and knockout stages a must-win for teams this weekend.
BROADCAST: facebook.com/worldrugby7s
LIVE UPDATES: twitter.com/usarugby
MATCH RECAPS: usarugby.org/womens-sevens-news
USA: 1 Meya Bizer 2 Illona Maher 3 Abby Gustaitis 4 Nicole Heavirland (C) 5 Alev Kelter 6 Lauren Doyle (C) 7 Naya Tapper 8 Jordan Gray-Matyas 9 Joanne Fa’avesi 10 Kayla Cannett11 Kris Thomas 12 Kristi Kirshe
WOMEN’S EAGLES SEVENS STAFF
Head Coach | Chris Brown
Head of Physical Performance | Matt Long
Head Performance Analyst | Dave Gardner
Athletic Trainer | Nicole Titmas
Team Manager | Liz Strohecker
HSBC CANADA WOMEN’S SEVENS SCHEDULE
Pool C | Broadcast LIVE on World Rugby Sevens Facebook
vs Spain | Sat, May 11 – 3:12 PM ET
vs Fiji | Sat, May 11 – 5:56 PM ET
vs France | Sat, May 11 – 8:40 PM ET
*Knockout rounds begin as early as Sun, May 12 at 12:18 PM ET
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