Comeback sees USA Women past Canada

The USA Women’s National Team evened up their Super Series record at 1-1 last night with a gutsy come from behind 36-28 victory over Canada. The win also reclaims the Can-Am Cup for the USA as it was their first victory over their Northern rivals since August of 2013. Canada had won the two prior meetings between the squads and heading into last night’s match the all-time series was deadlocked at 17-17.

The opening quarter of the match was fast and furious as the two teams combined to score four tries, with Canada posting three converted tries to roar out to a 21-8 lead over the USA. After withstanding the early barrage, the USA tightened their lines and held the powerful Canadian attack to only one try the remainder of the match.

“We took our opportunities. We tightened up the defence and had an attacking mind-set,” said USA Women’s Head Coach Pete Steinberg. “It was a great match.”

“Overall, it was a much better performance than what we had against England. We showed that we have the athletes that can finish and we put the ball in their hands more in this game.”

Latoya Blackwood opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs off of the opening kickoff and immediately set the tone for the opening quarter. The conversion from Andrea Burk capped the fine start for the Canadians. The USA struck back quickly with a penalty from Kimber Rozier to cut the lead to 7-3.

More loose play from the USA saw Canadian wing Lisa Gauthier cross over for another score. The ensuing conversion from Burk extended Canada’s lead to 14-3. As with Canada’s opening score, the USA answered back shortly after as USA Captain Jane Parr scored to cut the Maple Leaf’s lead down to 14-8. Canada kept up the pressure on the Eagles with Burk scoring a long try with the conversion added by Alex Tessier to push Canada’s lead out to 21-8.

Trailing by 13 points and sensing a see-saw battle brewing, the Eagles went to work on cutting into the Canadian lead. The USA scrum became the platform on which the Eagles mounted their comeback. A strong performance from the USA pack helped propel the side forward.

Flanker Joanna Kitlinski capitalized on the strong work by the forwards as she scored to cut into the Canadian lead. Rozier added the conversion to put the score at 21-15. With time left in the first half, the USA mounted pressure deep in the Canadian half. Again, the USA scrum came into play as No.8 Jordan Gray scored off of a 5-meter scrum. The Rozier conversion gave the USA their first lead of the match 22-21. The score remained at that mark for the remainder of the first half.

With the comeback complete, the USA started the second half looking to extend their lead and that is exactly what they did. A beautiful chip and chase from Fullback Jessica Wooden set her free for a 70-meter try. Wooden nearly matched the effort minutes later as she broke free for another long try. Both scores were converted by Rozier as the USA capped off a run of 28 unanswered points to take a commanding 36-21 lead over the Maple Leafs. The two key plays by Wooden capped a Woman of the Match Performance.

Canada attempted to mount a comeback in the final quarter of the match, but was unable to convert on a few opportunities. Maple Leaf Fullback Julianne Zussman added a late try and converted to cut the USA’s lead to 36-28, but that was as close at the Canadians got to a comeback.

Steinberg added via Twitter, “So proud of the @USAWomenEagles tonight. So young and still came back from 21-8 down to win.”

The USA Women Eagles return to action on July 5th as they close out their Super Series campaign against New Zealand in Edmonton. New Zealand is 2-0 in Super Series play having beaten both Canada and England. The USA has only defeated New Zealand once in team history needs to continue to show improvement to have a chance of toppling one of the top teams in the world.

 

CANADA 28
Tries – L. Blackwood (2), L. Gauthier (11), A. Burk (19), J. Zussman (78)
Cons – A. Burk 2 (2, 11), A. Tessier (20), J. Zussman (79)

USA 36
Tries – J. Wooden 2 (55, 65) J. Paar (14), J. Kitlinski (22), J. Gray (31)
Cons – K. Rozier 4 (22, 32, 56, 66)
Pens – K. Rozier (7)
Yellow cards – B. Dalal (77)

CANADA
1 L. Russell (capt.) 2 M.J. Kirby (J. Folk 72) 3 O. DeMerchant (D. Menin 72) 4 T. Beukeboom (C. Provençal-Aubé 64) 5 M. Samson (J. Murphy 46 {T. Picketts 72}) 6 B. Mervin 7 L. Blackwood 8 C. Nelles 9 L. Josephson (J. Neilson 72) 10 A. Tessier (N. Smith 54) 11 L. Gauthier 12 A. Burk (G. Allen 72) 13 A. Thornborough 14 K. McNally 15 J. Zussman

USA
1 Catie Benson (T. Faaee 64) 2 Katy Augustyn (S. Pankey 64) 3 Hope Rogers 4 Stacey Bridges 5 Molly Kinsella (A. Washington 72) 6 Joanna Kitlinski 7 Elizabeth Cairns (S. Parsons 69) 8 Jordan Gray 9 Dewen Owsiany (J. Lui 72) 10 Lauren Rhode (N. Heavirland 56) 11 Cheta Emba (B. Dalal 72) 12 Kimber Rozier 13 Jane Paar (capt.) 14 Kelsi Stockert 15 Jessica Wooden

Not used: B. Annis