The USA women’s team at the Youth Olympics started the Rugby 7s event at the games 0-1-1 on the first day.

In their first game, the Americans tied Spain in a game where the teams were deadlocked at half-time (7-7) and at full time (12-12). Richelle Stephens scored a try and converted one try and Michel Navarro also scored for the USA. Read more from game one.

It was a promising start and set the USA up for a clash with Canada, which had incurred a shock loss 24-10 to China in the first match. Canada, perhaps a little stung by the upset, raced out to a 12-0 lead, and while Stephens and USA captain Tess Feury both scored in the second half, Canada added one more to win 19-14. Hannah Darling of Canada notched two tries. Read more from game two.

So that leaves the USA 0-1-1. In the six-team tournament, the USA currently sits 5th with three more pool games to go:

Australia 2-0
Spain 1-0-1
China 1-1
Canada 1-1
USA 0-1-1
Tunisia 0-2

They need to place in the top four to get a shot at a medal, so the tie to Spain and the close loss to Canada are especially painful, as Australia and China (which lost 15-12 to Australia and look very good) are still to be faced.