The USA Stripes defeated the USA Stars in an Eagles women intrasquad clash Wednesday in Glendale, Colo.

Flanker and former Penn State standout Bitsy Cairns was named Player of the Match, showcasing some impressive attacking power and strong defense.

“It was great to watch them play again, they’ve been working very hard on their playing philosophy,” said Head Coach Rob Cain. “We saw some really good individual and unit performances and we’re really excited for Game Two. We’re probably not moving the ball into space as best as we can. We need to be more aggressive with our separation as ball carriers and our fight to get into that space. The intent with our kicking game was very good but we always want to ensure we’re putting the opposition under pressure. We’re gonna look at all those areas.” 

The game took a while to get into the flow. Both sides committed plenty of penalties early, but slowly the pace started to pick up. Along with Cairns, scrumhalf Cassidy Bargell and wing Kristi Kirshe tested the Stars defense. 

Ready. Set. Match.

TUNE IN to @florugby NOW  #USAWRW #USWNTXVs pic.twitter.com/j7OZT11eZW

— USA Rugby (@USARugby) November 18, 2020

It wasn't until 21 minutes in that anyone got on the scoreboard—Stripes flyhalf Megan Foster slotting a penalty goal for a 3-0 lead. The Stars came back and put on some pressure, earning a scrum that, when the Stripes committed a penalty, resulted in a penalty try and a 7-3 Stars lead.

But Cairns replied, scoring off a maul to give the Stripes a 10-7 lead at halftime.

In the second half the Stars attacked, with No. 8 Kathryn Johnson powering through and helping her side set up camp in the Stripes end. But the Stripes got out of it, and then Sarah Levy raced in for a long-range try to extend the Stripes advantage. The Stars answered with lock Hallie Taufoou charging over. But once again the Stripes had a reply, this time Kirshe setting up Foster who was in under the posts.

That made it 24-12, and with another Foster penalty and then a nifty try from Kayla Lawson (converted by Foster) that was it, 34-12.

Cairns was a bright spot but so was Foster, who was perfect from the kicking tee and logged 19 points on the day. 

USA Stars 12
Tries: Penalty Try, Taufoou
Convs: Penalty Try

USA Stripes 34
Tries: Cairns, Levy, Foster, Lawson
Convs: Foster 4
Pens: Foster 2

USA STARS ROSTER
1. Nick James (C)
2. Kathryn Treder 
3. Hope Rogers-Dellermann
4. Sam Luther
5. Hallie Taufoou
6. Nicole Strasko
7. Rachel Johnson
8. Kathryn Johnson
9. Cassidy Bargell
10. Katana Howard
11. Ilona Maher
12. McKenzie Hawkins (VC)
13. Amy Talei Bonte
14. Evan Hoese
15. Neariah Persinger

16. Paige Stathopoulos
17. Allie Schrenker
18. Lisa Jackson
19. Erica Jarrell
20. Darian Lovelace
21. Shelby Lin
22. PK Vincze
23. Kelsie O’Brien

USA STRIPES ROSTER
1. Maya Learned
2. JoJo Kitlinski (VC)
3. Charli Jacoby
4. Jenny Kronish
5. Julia Buescher
6. Rachel Ehrecke
7. Bitsy Cairns
8. Jordan Matyas
9. Carly Waters
10. Megan Foster
11. Sarah Levy
12. Emily Henrich (C)
13. Bulou Mataitoga
14. Kristi Kirshe
15. Jetta Owens 

16. Jett Hayward
17. Catie Benson
18. Sam Tancredi
19. Evelyn Ashenbrucker
20. Olivia Ortiz
21. Matalasi Morrissette
22. Kayla Lawson
23. Nichole Wanamaker