Canada book Semi Final spot with big win over USA

Canada have booked their spot in next weekend’s Semi Finals after a convincing 32-11 victory over the USA in Auckland. The heavy rain let up before the match but slippery conditions still saw both teams making several unforced errors, with the Canadians proving more accurate at key moments.

Tactical kicking dominated the early exchanges and it was Eagles who got the better of them. Canada were caught trying to play out of their own end and turned over possession. Moments after the Maple Leafs lost Sara Kaljuvee to a head knock, the then conceded a try to Joanna Kitlinski from close range.

Another kick ahead from the USA was taken cleanly by Elissa Alarie, who returned the ball with interest to send Tess Feury sliding over the touchline. After winning the throw-in, the Canadian pressure was relentless and eventually McKinley Hunt muscled over to even the scores, with Sophie de Goede’s conversion nudging her side ahead.

A bit of magic between Alarie and Karen Paquin saw a second try to the Canadians shortly after. Paquin freed the fullback on the outside, and Alarie chipped ahead as the No7 pinned her ears back and won the race to the ball. This time the extras eluded de Goede but the Maple Leafs stretched away with a lead they would not relinquish.

The Eagles came close to scoring a try of their own just before halftime, but a knock-on in the exchange at a driving maul saw the opportunity lost. Instead Alev Kelter would land a penalty goal to make it 12-8 as the two teams headed for a breather.

A vital score came for Canada immediately to open the second half. Paquin skied to win the ball back on the kickoff, and before the USA defense could reorganize Paige Farries swerved around the outside and cut back in to score a classic winger’s try. de Goede’s kick was good to make it a double-digit lead.

Kelter’s second penalty goal closed the gap, but it was just as quickly restored. Fabiola Forteza charged down a kick from Gabby Cantorna and second later Kelter saw yellow for a high challenge on the Canadian flanker. The frustrated Eagles could only watch as de Goede knocked over a three-pointer.

Alarie weaved her way through several would-be tacklers to set up the coup-de-grâce. Two carries from the forwards sucked in the defense and Alex Tessier was left wide open for the simplest of finishes. One more penalty from de Goede for good measure ended the scoring as the Eagles could muster no comeback in the final quarter.

The tournament has now come to a close for the USA, who return home with one victory from four matches. Canada will square off against the world’s top team England at the iconic Eden Park in Auckland next weekend. A win puts them into the Final, a loss and they will play for Bronze.

 

SCORING

CANADA 32
Tries – M. Hunt (16′), K. Paquin (20′), P. Farries (41′), A. Tessier (56′)
Cons – S. de Goede 3/4 (17′, 42′, 57′)
Pens – S. de Goede 2/2 (47′, 65′)

USA 11
Tries – J. Kitlinski (8′)
Cons – A. Kelter 0/1
Pens – A. Kelter 2/2 (37′, 45′)
YC – A. Kelter (46′)

 

TEAMS

CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant (17 Brittany Kassil 50′), 2 Emily Tuttosi (16 Gillian Boag 58′), 3 DaLeaka Menin (18 Alex Ellis 58′), 4 Courtney Holtkamp (19 Ngalula Fuamba 50′), 5 McKinley Hunt (20 Tyson Beukeboom 50′), 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Karen Paquin (22 Pamphinette Buisa 69′), 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.) (21 Gabrielle Senft 73′), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Alex Tessier, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Sara Kaljuvee (23 Anaïs Holly 7′), 13 Alysha Corrigan, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie

USA
1 Hope Rogers (17 Catie Benson 69′), 2 Joanna Kitlinski (16 Kathryn Treder 68′), 3 Nick James (18 Charli Jacoby 50′), 4 Kristine Sommer (19 Jenny Kronish 58′), 5 Evi Ashenbrucker, 6 Kathryn Johnson (20 Elizabeth Cairns 61′), 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Carly Waters (21 Bridget Kahele 51′), 10 Gabby Cantorna (22 Katana Howard 58′), 11 Lotte Clapp, 12 Alev Kelter, 13 Eti Haungatau, 14 Jennine Detiveaux (23 Meya Bizer 62′), 15 Tess Feury

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland)
Assistants: Sara Cox (England) & Clara Munarini (Italy)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)