USA Women Set for Canada Clash in Vegas Cup Finals

UPDATE 2/13/12: 2012 Vegas Details

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• Press Release from USA Rugby

from USA Rugby:

LAS VEGAS — The USA Women’s Eagle Sevens team will meet a strong Canada team in the final of the Women’s International Sevens tomorrow after the USA beat the Netherlands 17-5. The cup final will be webcast live on usarugby.org. That games kicks off at 12:16 p.m. Pacific.

After going undefeated on day one and two of the Women’s International Sevens Invitational, the newly professionalized Eagles have proven they are a force to be reckoned with.

Wading easily through their opposition on day one, the Eagles found themselves on Saturday morning preparing for a tough match against a toughened and explosive Netherlands squad.

The opening kickoff welcomed by a roar from the crowd as two professional women’s teams clashed on a wonderful stage of international rugby. The first half saw quick pressure from the Netherlands as they worked their defensive line into the face of the Americans. The Netherlands used the ensuing miscommunication to pick from a broken ruck and put five points up on the board early in the match. Conversion was missed and Netherlands took the lead 5 to 0 over the Eagles.

Penalties riddled the first half play and much of the attacking came from set pieces as both teams flexed their power in the scrum which in turn saw the ball changing hands every few phases. After numerous penalties form the Netherlands squad allowing the USA to easily work their way down the pitch the Eagles found themselves five meters out and mounting the pressure in hopes of putting points under their name on the score board.

Most of the half saw the Eagles within 22 meters of the Netherlands try line and a score was inevitable. Keeping composed, Amy Daniels quickly picked the ball from the ruck and slammed the ball into the Dutch white wash. The conversion missed and the teams went into half tied at five all.

The second half began with a couple penalties being exchanged by both teams as the tackles began to fly in. As the Netherlands squad began to grow tired their sweeper came out of position and the Eagles spotted a gap behind the defense and were quick to exploit it. The USA chipped over the line and gathered on the Netherlands’ five meter line. Deven Owsiany was quick to spot space on the wing and took the gap herself recording another try for the red, white, and blue. The conversion by Elizabeth Black was good and the USA broke the tie and went into the lead 12-5 over the Europeans.

The game continued into the final minutes riddled still by penalties but with also great defensive work by the Netherlands as the Eagles looked to continue their attack. The tackling by the Netherlands could not stop the USA from advancing deep into their territory and getting a line out on the five meter line. From the line out Hildreth worked her way around some defenders and found herself alone in the Netherlands try zone. The conversion was missed and the game ended with the USA over the Netherlands 17 to 5.

For rosters, schedule and up to date scores, go here.