News

US women triumph in San Diego

Saturday 09th February 2008

USA fans celebrate

The United State Women's Sevens team went undefeated and beat Canada 19-5 in the Final to win the women's portion of the San Diego Invitational tournament at Robb Fields held on Friday.

"I knew Canada would be ready for this game; their coach is a fearless leader and she prepared her team well. They were just as ready as us, but on this day, we just wanted it more," US Women's Sevens coach Julie McCoy said.

"The thing that motivated the women is that we're building toward our World Cup in 2010.

"We had the hardest National Camp ever two weeks ago and I told this team that they had to prove to me that they were the ones who should be chosen to represent the U.S. at the World Cup," McCoy added.

"This team proved a lot to themselves today. They chose their own destiny. I'm not saying that they're the team that is going to the World Cup, but they sure put a feather in their caps."

The Canadians opened the scoring in the first minute when Ashley Patzer dotted down, stinging the US into action.

Teena Mastrangelo got things started for the Women's Eagles in the fifth minute, with Pam Kosanke slotting the conversion to put the US 7-5 ahead at the break.

The US seized control of the game in the second half, holding their opponent scoreless until the end courtesy of some courageous defence.

Jen Starkey and Joanne Ward both scored after the break for the US Women, and Pam Kosanke booted the extras to give the high-flying Eagles a 19-5 victory.

"I believe that teamwork is the ultimate competitive advantage," McCoy said after the match.

"My job is to try to get them to do that and this time it worked out," she said. "

"Our defence was outstanding.

"This team reminds me of the one that won Dubai last year - they got scored on within the first minute but then came back to win it," she went on to say.

The US Women's Sevens Team is set to play South Africa in an exhibition match prior to the kick-off of the US Sevens Day 2 competition on Sunday, February 10.

The US Developmental side also competed in the event, which featured Canada, Canada A, a Canadian Intervarsity Sport side and South Africa. The US A Team ended the day in the third place match where they were defeated by the Canada A side in a final score of 12-20.

International Women's Results:
Canada A 5 - South Africa 21
CIS 0 - USA A 15
USA 21 - South Africa 7
Canada 29 - CIS 5
USA 24 - Canada A 0
Canada 26 - USA A 10
Canada 19 - South Africa 10
USA 15 - CIS 0
Consolation - CIS 10 - South Africa 24
3rd/4th place: USA A 12 - Canada A 20
Final: USA 19 - Canada 5