USA Comes Back to Beat Portugal
USA Comes Back to Beat Portugal
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.
It remained that way despite some prime scoring chances for Os Lobos, as the USA defense held firm.
Finally Portugal found space out wide and center José Lima cut back and exposed a couple of iffy tackles to scre. With that Portugal toko the lead 17-14.
With time ticking away, the USA fought back. A long kick got the Eagles back on the front foot, and as they put Portugal under pressure the USA got a penalty.
Close to the line they got another and on a tap penalty move the forwards went close to the line once more. After a series of pick-and-go's, Pifeleti powered through with the help of his teammates. MacGinty converted for the 21-17 lead with about three minutes left on the clock.
Once more Portugal had a chance to score, but the USA defense, especially their maul defense, was there.
This win, said USA Head Coach Scott Lawrence, "means we stared to grow as a team, and are learning how to perform when the game is on the line. This group of young players coming through are adding real energy to the squad.”
USA 21
Tries: Ryan, Augspirger, Pifeleti
Convs: MacGinty
Portugal 17
Tries: Storti, Lima
Convs: Aubry 2
Pens: Aubrey
