USA Rugby photo
UPDATE: Ramirez reflects on U20 Tri Nations tour
—
The USA Women U20s ended the Tri Nations Cup with a 24-7 loss to Canada, finishing the tournament 0-2 and in third place. The champion will be named on July 28, when Canada and England, which defeated the USA 62-0 on July 20, contest the final match.
Canada built a 12-0 lead in the first half as fullback Brogan Mior and wing Angie Olukunmi crossed for tries, and inside center Shoshanah Seumanutafa kicked the first of two conversions. The final 10 minutes of the half saw the USA attacking within Canada’s end, and scrumhalf Berlyn Seselja attempted to relieve some pressure with a box kick from the base of the ruck.
The USA was well positioned for the counterattack. Scrumhalf Mary Jane Pasioles (Central Washington) recovered quickly after initially bobbling the receipt and moved the ball to fullback Allison Koenig (Quinnipiac University). The Bobcat assessed the coverage and cut back against the defense for the linebreak, and inside center Morgan Freeman (Lindenwood University) adjusted her line of support for a timely offload. Freeman, who is also seen in the loose forwards, broke a tackle and waited until the defense collapsed on her before sending the finishing pass back inside to Koenig for the centered try. Flyhalf Darina Roe (Penn State) slotted the extras for the 12-7 scoreline into the break.
Canada was more consistent and connected in the second half, and as the game wore on, the USA attack essentially stayed one or two passes off the ruck. Canada saw flanker Lizzie Gibson pick from the base for a diveover try, which Seumanutafu converted, and reserve Noemie Trembly work the overload for a fourth try, 24-7.
USA U20s vs. CANADA
1. Tiara A’au – Central Washington University
2. Saher Hamdan – Notre Dame College
3. Tori Jones – University of Notre Dame
4. Marin Pennell – Dartmouth College
5. Erica Jarrell – Harvard University
6. Sophia Haley – Dartmouth College
7. Elizabeth Wilson – Northern Virginia (NOVA)
8. Kapoina Bailey – Kona High School
9. Mary Jane Pasioles – Central Washington University
10. Darina Roe – Pennsylvania State
11. Clara Lemal-Brown – Quinnipiac University
12. Morgan Freeman – Lindenwood University
13. Karissa Postula – Oregon Sports Union (ORSU)
14. Megan Bird – Davenport University
15. Allison Koenig – Quinnipiac University
RESERVES
16. Tiana A’au – Central Washington University
17. Joannah Skucek – Lindenwood University
18. Samantha Tancredi – Lindenwood University
19. Natalie Gray – Lindenwood University
20. Paige Fallon – Life University
21. Glory Woolley – Oklahoma State
22. Matalasi Morrissette – Brigham Young University
23. Ubaida Ahmed – Mount St. Mary’s University
STAFF
Head Coach | Ricardo Ramirez
Assistant Coach | Emily Record
Assistant Coach | Craig Wilson
Physical Performance | Sylvia Braaten
Athletic Trainer | Diane Watanabe
Team Manger | Anna Kunkel
USAU20 #U20TriNations