USA Women Hold Off Spain as New Era Begins
USA Women Hold Off Spain as New Era Begins
The USA defeated Spain 20-14 Saturday in their first game since last year's Women's Rugby World Cup.
Eight players made their USA debuts as this game marks a new era in the program. Interim Head Coach Rich Ashfield said he was working on team cohesion and working the new players into the squad.
This was not a perfect showing, by any stretch, with mistakes and unforced errors. But players garnered much-needed time together.
Hope Rogers continued her run of excellent form with a try six minutes in, and the Eagles tried to keep that momentum by playing a territorial game. On defense for a good portion of the time, the Eagles forced a few Spanish mistakes to keep the Lions in check.
Eventually, however, Spain got a kickable penalty and Claudia Peña slotted the goal to make it 5-3.
The Eagles pressured off the restart and forced a penalty—Gabby Cantorna was good on the kick to make it 8-3. Back came Spain, and just before halftime Peña was good on her second penalty attempt as well to make it a tense 8-6 scoreline at the break.
The USA had some additional chances in those opening 40 minutes but were unpolished and mistakes kept the game closer than perhaps it should have been.
As the second half started Bulou Mataitoga cut through and passed to Eti Haungatau, and she powered over for an early try for the Americans. Mataitoga was a thorn in Spain's side throughout the game. However, being a threat is only one piece of the puzzle. Up 13-6 the Eagles were not out of the woods yet. Spain almost scored but a potential try was called back. Peña did add a penalty.
Then a muffed lineout deep in USA territory led to a try for Carmen Castellucci and a 14-13 lead for Spain.
In the closing minutes, it fell to Rogers to rescue her team once more. A kicking exchange ended up with the USA getting some territory and the throw-in in the lineout. debutant Jett Hayward's throw was good and the ensuing maul and taken over the line, with Rogers touching down for the try. Cantorna converted and the Eagles had the lead 20-14.
Spain threw everything they had at the USA and looked to be through with an interception, but that, too, was called back. Ultimately the Eagles were able to close it out.
USA 20
Tries: Rogers 2, Haungatau
Convs: Cantorna
Pens: Cantorna
Spain 14
Tries: Castellucci
Pens: Peña 3
“Obviously happy to get the win," said Ashfield. "Also very happy to have handed out eight new caps to players who looked comfortable on the international stage. We set out to win the gainline and be physical, and I think we did that overall. We need to be a bit more clinical in the opposition 22 but we are creating very clear chances we just need to put them away. I think this was a good baseline and I think shows we are going in the right direction, we just need a little more cohesion and that comes with time together. We are well aware Canada will be a very different beast and will punish us for our errors.”
Next up is indeed Canada in the opening game of the Pacific Four Series in Madrid. Canada played South Africa this weekend and won 66-7.
“Our plan and focus was certainly aggression,” said Canada captain and star No. 8 Sophie de Goede. “We knew South Africa had a really strong collision dominance at the World Cup and that was something we were going to have to try to match if not exceed in this game to come out on top and get the quick ruck ball that we were hoping for. I think we did a pretty good job with that, but I think we can be even more dominant with our collisions and our clear outs so that we can create a nice clean ball for our backs.”
The USA lineup included 14 players who play professionally overseas. Three current college players were in the lineup, with Keia Mae Sagapolu getting the start at tighthead prop.
1. Hope Rogers, Exeter Chiefs; 2. Kathryn Treder, DMP Sharks; 3. Keia Mae Sagapolu, Central Washington; 4. Jenny Kronish, Harlequins; 5. Evelyn Ashenbrucker, San Diego Surfers; 6. Tahlia Brody, Cheltenham; 7. Georgie Perris-Redding, Sale Sharks; 8. Kate Zackary (C), Exeter Chiefs; 9. Olivia Ortiz, DMP Sharks; 10. McKenzie Hawkins, Colorado Greywolves; 11. Bulou Mataitoga, Loughborough Lightning; 12. Gabby Cantorna, Exeter Chiefs; 13. Eti Haungatau, Sale Sharks; 14. Summer Harris-Jones, USA Sevens; 15. Meya Bizer, DMP Sharks
16. Jett Hayward, Life West; 17. Maya Learned, Gloucester-Hartpury; 18. Catie Benson, Sale Sharks; 19. Megan Neyen, Beantown; 20. Sophia Haley, Dartmouth College; 21. Carly Waters, Sale Sharks; 22. Kristin Bitter Dartmouth College; 23. Autumn Czaplicki, USA Sevens
The eight players who earned their first caps were: Sagapolu, Brody, Harris-Jones, Hayward, Neyen, Haley, Bitter, and Czaplicki.
