Two Close Games for USA Falcon Women in Brazil
Two Close Games for USA Falcon Women in Brazil
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 |