USA RUGBY – The USA Women’s National Team XVs fell to Canada 0-19 in the first of a two-match series to serve as their Autumn Internationals. In increasingly challenging conditions, the United States and Canada battled against wind, rain and slick grass to maintain control of the ball and play to their strengths. [Lead photo: Griff Lacey]
“There were some moments that we should have expected more of ourselves,” said Captain Kate Zackary. “Despite the conditions, we made adjustments to our game plan and tightened up some of our forward movements.
“We gave opportunities to our packs where we could, they carried extremely hard. We had a lot of really strong carries from Amy Naber-Bonte and Leti Hingano on the backline.
“Unfortunately we made a few visits to the 22 and didn’t come away with a try. The girls did a great job digging in, making those [Canadian] tries hard and we’re looking forward to a dry game on Sunday.”
For the first several minutes, the Canadians threatened inside the U.S. 22, monopolizing possession while the Eagles scrambled in defense to cover gaps, remain physical and stay sharp through each set piece. Finally, the opposition found their edge from a five-meter lineout and put seven on the board with a try and conversion mid posts.
Scrums were a consistent presence throughout the game — as was kicking — as both teams fought through the adversity of the weather to build an attacking edge. Flyhalf Gabby Cantorna put a few convincing kicks through the air but the Canadians were dominant in the kick-chase and countered with a buzzing attack in most situations.
Around the 30th minute, with Canada still only up by seven, the USA’s Catie Benson pushed herself over the tryline only to find the ball was held up. The sequence would plague the United States throughout the game as Kate Zackary would nearly score before the ball was knocked on and multiple trips inside the opposition 22 were halted by handling errors.
Canada scored two more tries at the end of the first half and beginning of the second half. Canadian winger Irene Patrinos found a margin of space in the corner and Janna Slevinsky caught the U.S. off guard and squeezed through a patch of space.
From the 60th minute and well past the 70th minute, the Eagles threatened inside the Canadian 22, just as Canada had at the start of the game. The United States maintained its grit and intensity until the very end, when the match was called off two minutes early due to lightning in the area.
Despite the many challenges presented by the weather, the United States showed some promising signs of intent through convincing runs, an increase in kicking strategy and big hits. Five new players also joined the Eagles fold in new caps to Frieda Fetuu, 2016 Olympian Kathryn Johnson, Leti Hingano, Kathryn Treder and Maya Learned.
As the final match approaches on Sunday, both teams can hope for dry game to lean into the progress made through a year of test match rugby.
KO is set for 2 PM PT on florugby.com.
USA STARTERS
1. Catherine Benson2. Joanna Kitlinski (61′ Kathryn Treder)3. Charli Jacoby (65′ Nick James)4. Kristine Sommer (59′ Nicole Strasko)5. Frieda Fetuu (46′ Alycia Washington)6. Rachel Johnson7. Kate Zackary (C)8. Kathryn Johnson9. Carly Waters (62′ Olivia Ortiz)10. Gabby Cantorna (63′ Katana Howard, 70′ Maya Learned)11. Jennine Duncan12. Amy Naber-Bonte (66′ Bui Baravilala)13. Emily Henrich (VC)14. Kaitlyn Broughton15. Leti Hingano
STAFF
Director of Women’s High Performance | Emilie BydwellHead Coach | Rob CainAssistant Coach | Jamie BurkeAssistant Coach | Kate DaleyAssistant Coach Rich AshfieldCoach/Team Manager | Jenny LuiHead Strength & Conditioning Coach | Ian JonesAssistant Strength & Conditioning Coach | Conor SweeneyHead Performance Analyst | Dave GardnerAssistant Performance Analyst | Callum HowellsTeam Doctor | Terrence CroninAthletic Trainer | Bri ArsenaultAthletic Trainer | Katherine Henry