AIG WCAAs conclude Fall Tour with win against Paris-Bobigny, loss to Stade Rennais

from USA Rugby:

RENNES, France – The USA Rugby AIG Women’s Collegiate All-Americans wrapped up their 2013 Fall Tour Saturday, Nov. 30, with a 46-21 loss to Stade-Rennais. The WCAAs defeated Paris-Bobigny 20-19 Thursday, Nov. 28, thanks to a last-minute penalty kick from UCLA’s Noorin Dorosti.

The WCAAs arrived in Paris Saturday, Nov. 23, to get adjusted to the time zone and train in the French conditions. Paris-Bobigny and Rennes represented two of the top women’s clubs in the country, and a high level of play would surely come with the opposition.

Paris-Bobigny scored two tries in the first five minutes of the WCAAs’ first match for a quick 12-0 lead. Oregon State’s Hannah Lockwood set up Stephanie Goetz for the Americans’ first try to cut the halftime lead to 12-5.

Jacie Vonada of San Diego State put the WCAAs in Paris territory on the other side of the half before Kristen Thomas of Central Florida finished off the attack with a score. Two unsuccessful conversions resulted in a 12-10 deficit.

Paris-Bobigny scored in the 61st minute to extend the lead to 19-10, but Grace Hovde responded with a try after taking a quick tap five meters from the line. Lockwood converted the try, bringing the score to 19-17.

In the 79th minute, Dorosti stepped up to take a penalty kick and nailed it to give the WCAAs the 20-19 win.

“The match was a good challenge,” WCAA Head Coach Martha Daines said after the match. “The players showed great character to make the adjustments needed to dominate the second half and come out with the win.

“Paris-Bobigny were gracious and enthusiastic hosts, and it was a great introduction to international rugby for these collegiate athletes.”

A somewhat depleted WCAA roster due to the USA Rugby College 7s National Championships could not replicate the second-half heroics in the match against Stade Rennais Saturday.

Again the WCAAs conceded early, this time in the second minute in Rennes. It got worse as the home side scored four more tries and added a penalty to take a 34-0 halftime lead.

After allowing a sixth try, Erin Overcash put the WCAAs on the board with a try, which Dorosti converted. Thomas scored her second and third tries of the weekend after Rennais added a seventh to bring the final score to 46-21.

The WCAAs returned home Sunday with international experience and will look to take the next step in the development pathway with Eagle Training Centers and the 2014 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in the near future.

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USA Rugby AIG Women’s Collegiate All-Americans | v Paris-Bobigny
1. Leslie Ota
2. Mel Krug
3. Dorothy Mottow
4. Bailey Johnson
5. Grace Hovde
6. Erika Pederson
7. Aoibheann Cline
8. Jennifer Sever
9. Debbie Stenioen
10. Hannah Lockwood
11. Stephanie Goetz
12. Lyndsie White
13. Erin Overcash
14. Kristen Thomas
15. Jacie Vonada

USA Rugby AIG Women’s Collegiate All-Americans | Reserves
16. Baylee Annis
17. Kaitlyn Foss
18. Aubrey Huey
19. Ariel Johnson
20. Kate Kloster
21. Noorin Dorosti
22. Cheryl Johnson

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USA Rugby AIG Women’s Collegiate All-Americans | v Stade Rennais
1. Baylee Annis
2. Aubrey Huey
3. Monica Jackson
4. Kaitlyn Foss
5. Grace Hovde
6. Ariel Johnson
7. Aoibheann Cline
8. Jennifer Sever
9. Debbie Stenioen
10. Erin Overcash
11. Jessica Gray
12. Lyndsie White
13. Kate Kloster
14. Noorin Dorosti
15. Jacie Vonada

USA Rugby AIG Women’s Collegiate All-Americans | v Reserves
16. Leslie Ota
17. Dorothy Mitton
18. Bailey Johnson
19. Mel Krug
20. Erika Pederson
21. Kristen Thomas
22. Cheryl Johnson
23. Hannah Lockwood
24. Stephanie Goetz