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eagles.rugby – Top USA U23 Women’s players assembled in Chula Vista this week for a Verification Camp bringing together rising talent from across the country as part of the Women’s National Team pathways program. The camp placed a key focus on evaluating player baselines, identifying high-performance potential, and integrating targeted skills and decision making strategies players can implement as they work on as they build towards a USA style of rugby. [lead photo: Savannah Short for USA Rugby]
The 30-athlete squad features a mix of standout performers from recent domestic competitions, top collegiate programs, and returning Pathway athletes.
Head coach Orlando Pulou highlighted the multi-layered selection process used to assemble this year’s group:
“Athletes were primarily selected from a combination of scouting their season films, TID/RDD observations, and the U23 All Star tournament. Others were selected based on past Pathways performances. This camp also allows us to assess how those players have developed since we last saw them.”
Throughout the intensive camp, coaching staff will focus on holistic player development, position-specific technical execution, and aligning the athletes with national team standards and style of play.
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Speaking on the primary objectives of the assembly, coach Pulou added:
“The camp aims to verify athletes for future Pathway inclusion, identify next steps for each player, and connect them to necessary resources. We will introduce WNT XV values and game model, and targeted skill work in position specific skills.”
The Verification Camp acts as an additional step on the USA Pathways developing a future pipeline for the Women’s Eagles as they build toward future international competition cycles.
USA Women’s U23 Camp Roster
Makenna Bailey – Lindenwood University
Olivia Baptiste — Brown University
Emma Buxton – NOVA, Scion
Madison Cofer — Columbus Squirrels
Zorah Coulibaly — Fresno State
Charlotte Dauser — Sacred Heart University
Olivia George – Univ. Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Isabel Henderson – Univ. Notre Dame
Maddie Hughes — Cardiff Metropolitan University (Wales)
Ireland Jeffrey — Southern Nazarene University
Francesca Kovach — Life West
Jordynn LeBeau — Dartmouth College
Leilani Lepe — Davenport University
Jordis Lomu — Dartmouth College
Chayse McCann – Univ. Oregon
Lillian McDaniel – Univ. Nevada Reno
Neasa McLaughlin — Harvard University
SaTya Miller – American International College
Clementine Radoff — Western Washington University
Jolene Russo — Northeastern University
Kayla Saikaly — Columbus Squirrels
Malenaite Sake — VKnack Rugby
Isabelle Sandoval — San Diego Surfers
Jayna Schalesky – UC Santa Barbara
Ania Simmons — San Jose State University
Scout Spadoni – Univ. Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Lauren Thomlinson — Drury University
Krystal Tupou — BYU
Leila Wang Gaouette – Stanford University
Rachel Wilkie — Davenport University
USA Women’s U23 Camp Coaching & Staff
Orlando Pulou | Head Coach, USA Rugby U23 XV
Kelly Griffin | On-site Head Coach
Catie Benson | Assistant Coach
Sue Whitwell | Assistant Coach