The USA Women’s National 7s team is in to the Cup Quarterfinals in Sao Paulo after a 2-1 day of pool play in Brazil.

The Eagles looked out of sorts against New Zealand in their opener, getting just the one try from Jillion Potter in a 35-5 loss. In their second game, the Americans showed flashes of what they can do, but also made little errors. 

The USA got the ball early and tried to move it wide, but passing to static support and some mishandling and running into touch meant that the Eagles spent much of the first half in their 22.

It didn’t help when Megan Bonney got a yellow card for tripped (she grappled the ballcarrier, but aggressively used her legs to take the opponent down, and referee Gabriel Lee showed the yellow. 

Down a player and committing more penalties the US defense finally buckled. The Russians ran around the edge, and while Kristen Thomas made a try-saving tackle, and Jessica Javelet seemed to make a good poach, she was penalized, and from there Russia sent Bystrova in for a 5-0 Russia lead.

More mistakes by the USA saw Thomas go into touch, but Bonney stole the lineout throw and links with the ever-alert Alev Kelter. A couple of rucks later the USA players were screaming for the ball to come left, and it did, with Bui Baravilala going over to tie it up.

The USA got the ball back, but their passing was still to the woman, not for the woman, and so their attack was very static, and the half ended 5-5.

In the second half, though, the Eagles showed a little better. Excellent defense led to a nice poach and, despite a few fumbles, the ball went to Kelter who scored.

From the restart, Potter took the ball in the air and fed Rachel Griendling, who was in under the posts to make it 19-5.

A series of penalties, some of them a little harsh, led to Russia scoring as time almost expired. The Eagles defended for long periods of the game, and showed plenty of bravery, but they were inexact and static on offense.

Things were somewhat similar in the final game as the Americans continued to be on defense for long periods. But their tackling was solid. Captain Kelly Griffin saved a try with a superb tackle in her own 22, and a quick USA turnover set free Griendling for a long run and a try.

Spain held onto the ball for the majority of the rest of the first half, but, after what seemed like a hundred USA tackles, Kelter intercepted a pass to score under the posts and make it 14-0 at the break.

In the second half some snappy passing, especially from Javelet, sent Thomas in from 70 meters out, and then a Javelet break started a movement that allowed Ashley Perry to beat her defender and score under the sticks.

With a minute to go, the game was suspended for lightning, but eventually they came back to play, the ball went out to Naya Tapper, who showed her speed and skill to score her first World Series try. That finished it, 33-0.

The USA attack was much more confident in the Spain game, and  if they carry that confidence through to the second day of play, they could go far. Kelter was far and away the best USA player on the day, active in defense and making the most constant passes, but Javelet showed flashes of why she has been moved into the midfield, and vets Potter and Griffin were also good.

 

USA 5 New Zealand 35

Tries: Potter

 

USA 19 Russia 10

Tries: Baravilala, Kelter, Griendling

Convs: Kelter, Griendling

 

USA 33 Spain 0

Tries: Kelter, Thomas, Griendling, Perry, Tapper

Convs: Griffin, Kelter 3

 

 

The Eagles finished 2-1, second in Pool B to New Zealand. On Sunday, the USA will play England in the quarterfinals at 12:06pm local time, which is 9:06am ET.

 

Full footage of Saturday’s play is here: https://youtu.be/luALtD5RI3c