GHSAAs Drop Close Match to Canada U18s

The Girls High School All-Americans ended Winter Camp with a 15s match against the Canada U18s on Dec. 30 at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center. The USA led Canada 24-14 at halftime, and then the visitors rallied in the second 40 for a 29-24 win.

RELATED: View the full match

“The players were ferocious on defense but got a little disorganized at times which allowed Canada to capitalize on mistakes,” Girls HSAA Director & Head Coach Martha Daines told USA Rugby. “Overall, the team worked hard throughout camp to make those connections so vital to success on the field. We were impressed by their willingness to take risks, work together to make adjustments and be creative — especially on attack.”

USA flyhalf Kristin Bitter sent a penalty toward touch, and although the ball stayed inbounds, a quick chase and tackle from wing DeAira Jackson meant play stayed in Canada’s end. Solid north-south runs from players like prop Tua Tanupa got the USA close to the line and then outside center Ava Procter sent the final pass to Bitter for the try, 5-0.

Canada then pounced on a messy lineout and got the USA retreating with an aggressive push. The disruption produced a turnover for Canada, and from a scrum, inside center Laurie Izard sliced through the line and would-be tacklers for the try. Chloe Daniels added the extras for the 7-5 lead.

Bitter sent a deep restart to put play in favorable territory and then a poor clearance kick from Canada saw Jackson go up for the ball and put the USA on the attack. After several side-to-side phases, hooker Nina Mason pushed a grubber through the line and won the sprint to the try zone for the dot-down. The home side’s third try came after Canada attempted to run out of its end, and a well telegraphed pass allowed Mason to clobber the receiver and force a knock-on. After several phases, Mason dove over the line and Bitter converted for the 17-7 lead.

Again Canada responded, as co-captains Lizzy Gibson (No. 8) and Kendra Cousineau (scrumhalf) connected well on breakaways. The ball eventually made it to fullback Cassie Jorgensen, who beat her opposite to the try line. Daniels converted, 17-14 to the USA.

Canada fielded the restart well and then Tanupo thumped the ballcarrier to halt that promising attack in Canada’s end. Procter then stripped the ball out of the tackle and it moved wide to wing Itzel George-Murguia for a nice break along the sideline. The USA drew a penalty at the five meter, a turnover followed, but Canada was forced to kick out the back. From the subsequent set piece, the home side got nice go-forward from Tanupo and then No. 8 Liz Tafuna took the final punch over the line. Mason made the conversion for the 24-14 lead.

As the half ended, Canada really started to show its attack potential, connecting well in the open field, and sending well timed, decisive passes to put teammates into space. Canada flanker Regan Casey nearly ended a nice series with a try, but a good hustle from Bitter saw the Dartmouth flyhalf get under the ball and prevent the grounding to end the half.

The first 40 showed Tafuna as a force who can bounce off the first tackle attempt and keep making meters. The United player was also great on the restarts and took contact well. Tanupo and Liana Holani also made constant north-south meters, and flanker Malia Isaacs was an absolute work horse, often cleaning up line-breaks and causing trouble in the breakdown. Procter was stellar at outside center, great pace of the line and plucky in contact. Mason, too, had a great half – that grubber try was a highlight.

Canada scored three unanswered tries in the second half – two from wing Eden Kilgour and one from Cousineau, who moved to the centers in the second half. A good driving lineout followed by simple, solid hands set up the first score. An untidy ruck allowed Canada to steal possession and more good hands and manipulation of the defense set up the co-captain’s try. The final score came after a good PK Vincze clearance kick, and then Kilgour just slipped and weaved through 40 meters of defense for the try.

In between, the USA had its opportunities. Replacement hooker Queenette Toomalatai, who had a great half and connected well with front row Alycia Namosimalua, blocked and nearly intercepted a kick on Canada’s try line but just knocked on in the grounding. But the almost-try was a mark of good pressure defense from the USA. On the whole though, Canada’s defense did a better job of converting turnovers into points. Replacement flyhalf PK Vincze also did well and the Summit Tiger had the biggest line-break of the second half, working the defense with Procter and tearing away. Vincze linked up with Esreal Bell and then reserve scrumhalf Kuuleialoha Uluave, but that drive ended in a turnover.

The game provided a nice look at the high school talent around the country, and many are entering their final senior seasons this spring. Once high school state, regional and national championships clear in June, these GHSAAs (let us know if we’re missing anyone!) will be found at the following collegiate programs in fall 2020:

Central Washington (DI Elite)

Abby Fearey – Rancho Bernardo, CA

Dartmouth College (NIRA)

Ava Procter – Lake Oswego, OR

Harvard University

PK Vincze – Summit, CO

Quinnipiac University

Hannah Pfersch – Hamilton, WI

Kat Storey – Downingtown, PA

Anna Van Dyk – Palmer, CO

See the full list of Winter Camp attendees here.