Despite the early lead, the U.S. Women dropped its third match of the Youth Olympic Games, bowing 29-7 to host China (3-1).

The Americans had the first say, as Becca Jane Rosko scored the team's only try, which Richelle Stephens converted for the 7-0 lead.

The hosts recovered quickly. The Chinese were incredibly ruthless at the tackle contest, and the U.S. took time to adjust. For a good portion of the first half, when the ball went to ground, China ended up with possession - regardless of who took the ball into contact. And much like the Australian game, the Chinese were very clinical and well skilled, deftly moving the ball around the field.

Not much changed in the second half except now the U.S. knew what it had to bring to the rucks. The turnover rate wasn't as high, but the labored breakdowns really slowed down the ball. China scored two more tries to add to its three first-half scores, but the U.S. ended on a good drive, pushing off would-be tacklers and off-loading out of contact, but it ended in touch. Xiaoqian Liu scored a try in both halves, while Yueyying Gao, Meiling Yan and Chen Ling (who also had a conversion) added five-pointers. Tingting Wang also had a conversion.

Australia, China and Canada will move onto tomorrow's semifinals, and the fourth spot will come down to Spain and the U.S. Spain (7 points, -40 points differential) currently leads the U.S. (5 points, -65 points differential) in the standings, but the former has China tomorrow, while the U.S. has Tunisia. The Americans need to run up the score and hope for an equally big rout from the Chinese, both of which are not unlikely outcomes.