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Two Close Games for USA Falcon Women in Brazil

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Two Close Games for USA Falcon Women in Brazil

USA Falcons vs Brazil. Photo courtesy USA Rugby.

The USA Women's Falcons team, which was a largely U23 squad, just completed two games in Brazil against the Brazilian national team.

Both games were essentially the same score, with the first game on June 11 being 19-12 for Brazil and the second game on June 14 being 21-12.

Colorado gray Wolves forward Rachel Ehrecke scored a try in each game.

Overall this was a good tour for the USA Falcons. They were tested against a good senior women's international team and forced to front-up against more experienced and hardened players.

Both games were three tries to two and for the tour this was a chance for players to experience potentially their first true international tour.

Game 1
Brazil 19 USA 12
Tries: Ehrecke, Leatherman
Convs: Bitter

Game 2
Brazil 21 USA 12
Tries: Bitter, Ehrecke
Convs: Bitter

 

Leading into this tour Brandon Sparks, USA Rugby's Head of Women's High Performance said this was an important proving ground for players just on the cusp of being capped, or players who have only been capped a few times. This was also a key chance for coaches with Eagle aspirations to run the team.

“The selection process for this traveling roster was in collaboration with our pathway coaches and national team staf," said Sparks. "We are excited to see the players who made the trip as it's an exciting blend of national team players and upcoming pathway players. We also are working to expand our pool of coaches and support staff and it is exciting to provide opportunities for them with this tour. This tour is another step in progressing the development and creating opportunities for the players in America. While the short turnaround from PAC4 and the timing of this tour with college graduations and other important life milestones that happen this time of year was a challenge, we will keep creating more opportunities for players to play rugby.”

The USA Falcons roster included several players in college or just graduating, and even a recent high schooler in Sariah Ibarra out of Belmont Shore (who has flirted with playing for New Zealand and could play for either NZ or the USA). 

USA Women’s Falcons Traveling Roster
Name Club
Alivia Leatherman Notre Dame College
Anna Van Dyk Quinnipiac University
Asialeata Meni Dartmouth College
Atumata Hingano USA Sevens
Emerson Allen Rhinos/Life West
Emily Henrich Unattached
Freda Tafuna Lindenwood University
Kelsie O'Brien Colorado Gray Wolves
Kristin Bitter Life West
Lauren Ferridge Beantown RFC
Leti Hingano Life West
Malia Isaacs Beantown RFC
Matalasi Morrissette Peaks Rugby
Maya Learned Colorado Gray Wolves
Nikki Kenyon WAC/Seattle RFC/Life West
Nikki Lynch Brown University
Rachel Ehrecke Colorado Gray Wolves
Reece Woods Sacred Heart University
Sariah Ibarra Belmont Shore
Sophia Lamphier Berkeley All Blues
Sophie Pyrz Rhinos/Life West
Tiahna Padilla Harvard University
Tiara A'au New York Rugby Club
   
USA Women’s Falcons Traveling Staff
Head Coach | Sarah Chobot  
Assistant Coach | Katie Dowty  
Strength & Conditioning | Kris Smith  
Manager | Seth Symond  
Physiotherapist | Travis Jameson