There were three big women’s rugby events that occurred in the U.S. last weekend or involved a U.S. team in an international competition. At home, USA Club Rugby named its 7s national champions and the Women’s Premier League played a makeup game that locked in the national semifinalists. Overseas, the USA Women’s National Team (WNT) played Japan in the first of two tests that will ready the Eagles for the WXV 1. [Lead photo: USA Rugby 7s at the Olympics Closing Ceremony / @hoiho_photo]
INTERNATIONAL
The USA Women’s National Team tied Japan 17-17 in the team’s first of two tests on Sunday evening. Summer Harris-Jones and Olivia Ortiz scored the tries, while McKenzie Hawkins kicked two conversions and a penalty. Read more. The rematch is Aug. 17 and RugbyPassTV will provide the free livestream. Kickoff is at 5 a.m. ET but the replay will be available shortly afterward.
Also internationally, the Olympics wrapped up in Paris and celebrated its closing ceremony on Sunday. Photographer Alex Ho caught some Eagles enjoying the karaoke portion of the evening (lead photo).
CLUB 7s NATIONALS
USA Club Rugby named its 2024 7s national champion: Scion. Read more. The victory marks the D.C.-based program’s fourth title, but it was a battle, most notably in the final two rounds of play. Scion absorbed heavy pressure from Chicago North Shore in the semifinals, advancing with a 29-17 win, while fellow finalist Chicago Lions eliminated Washington Athletic Club with a dramatic 24-19 semifinal victory.
But defense was the name of the game in the championship, and Scion did well to push the Lions into retreat when they were threatening most. Meanwhile, scrumhalf Monique Coffey seemed to run on the front foot all game and scored two tries with quick reactions off the scrum. Hann Humphreys scored Scion’s other try, while Camille Johnson added the conversion. Chicago Lions standout Ashely Cowdrey scored as well.
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FINAL STANDINGS
1. Scion (Mid-Atlantic)
2. Chicago Lions (Midwest)
3. Washington AC (Pacific NW)
4. Chicago North Shore (Midwest)
5. San Diego (SoCal)
6. Chicago Lions Bonus Track (Midwest)
7. Oregon Sharks (Pacific NW)
8. Dallas Harlequins (Red River)
9. Boston (Northeast)
10. Phoenix (South)
11. East Palo Alto (NorCal)
12. HEB (Red River)
13. NOVA (Mid-Atlantic)
14. Phoenixville (Mid-Atlantic)
15. Slaughterhouse (Mid-Atlantic)
16. Orlando (South)
It’s worth noting that the Midwest (3) and Pacific Northwest (2) placed all of their teams in the top eight.
WPL Semifinalists Known
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And finally, the Women’s Premier League held a makeup game between the Colorado Gray Wolves (8-2) and Beantown (3-7), while the rest of the competition enjoyed a bye. There were rain and lightning delays, but the home side came through with a 39-12 win on the Infinity Park turn field.
The WPL now knows its semifinalists, as determined by league standings. The exact match-ups, however, won’t be determined until the regular season concludes on Aug. 24. Fortunately, nationals — now called the Legacy Cup and run by Women’s Elite Rugby — will be held in Madison, Wis. (site of 7s nationals), and all teams can book their travel now rather than waiting to see who gets home-field advantage for Sept. 7 playoffs. The final will be in Greensboro, N.C., on Sept. 14.