A late try by Kapeli Pifeleti helped the USA overcome Portugal 21-17 Saturday in the first match of the Eagles' three-match November slate.
The USA defended well against a Portugal team that has shown itself to be very dangerous in open play and in punishing turnovers, holding the hosts to just two tries.
The Eagles took an early lead when the forwards bashed at the line following a scrum in the middle of the field. No. 8 Paddy Ryan charged through to make some ground, and after a good carry from center Tavite Lopeti, they went back the other way and Ryan burst onto a flat pass to charge in from 30 meters.
Portugal scored a try out on the wing through Raffael Storti (not relation, as far as we know, to USA debutant Eric Storti) after that to make it 10-7, but when a long kick rolled dead the USA got going wiht a series of phases and some quick hands put wing Nate Augspurger over and he made no mistake. His try, along with AJ MacGinty's conversion, put the USA ahead 14-10.
