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Written by Jackie Finlan    Tuesday, 02 August 2011 21:35    PDF Print Write e-mail
Magrini Reflects on USA's Narrow Defeat
National Teams - USA Women

Sometimes a loss is as a good as win. That's the case in the USA Women's 15-11 defeat to England this evening during the Women's Nations Cup. Although the sting of surrendering the lead on the last play of the game will linger for some time, the Eagles are pleased with their performance against the #2 team in the world.

Captain Kim Magrini reflects fondly on the USA's narrow defeat to England this evening. (Bill English photo)

"We're feeling good," USA captain Kim Magrini said an hour after the match. "We recovering from a physically and mentally difficult game, but this was a fantastic step in the direction we want to go, both in this tournament and our four-year World Cup cycle. I'm really proud of the team."

It was apparent that the USA was going to win this match with in-your-face defense, then hope that the back three could retaliate England's tactical kicking with some opportunistic counters. While the latter could use some work, wing Vix Folayan did make England pay for an ill-advised cross-kick deep in its zone, when the Roses also had advantage. She fielded the ball cleanly and showcased her incredible pace down the line, not to be deterred from the corner of the try zone. That five-pointer gave the USA their first lead of the game.

"We wanted to physically take it to them, to pressure and go forward on defense," Magrini said of the game plan. "England doesn't like it when we're that physical, and we knew that was an area we could dominate. We had individuals making great tackles and the team there to support them. We got even more than we asked for and set the tone."

Focusing on defense proved to be a smart tactic, because even though the Eagles were able to stand up some goal-line drives and turnover the ball in the breakdown, the USA didn't have the majority of possession. There were some offensive miscues, a dropped pass here or not-rolling-away penalty there, that cost the Eagles. That said, this squad has only had six days total (which includes a players camp earlier this summer) to become familiar with each other. None of the backline players have played beside each other on the 15s team.

A highlight of the match were flankers Lynelle Kugler and Shaina Turley, who were continually catching England forwards behind the gainline and smothering potential breakaways with excellent cover tackles.

"Lynelle is wonderful," Magrini said of her National U23 and World Cup teammate. "She belongs there; she brings a physical presence that we need."

The game that evolved was what the players needed, especially for those like Kugler, Magrini and six other teammates who remember the last time they saw England (39-10 loss at the Rugby World Cup).

"I try to come into games with a new plate, but you still have a reaction to the past," Magrini said. "Every time you play England, it's always a good, hard game, but we're usually on the wrong end of the outcome. Having been through that and played them four times - we didn't just stick with them for 30 minutes, or pressure them here or there; we competed with them - and that's different. We realized that at the half, and that gives you a different attitude toward the second half. We were there and beating them in areas of the game, and reflecting on that is really exciting. It's something new that we can build upon for the next three games and the long run."

So sometimes a loss is as a good as a win, because as far as this tournament is concerned, there now a sense of unfinished business from both England and USA, which could mean a very exciting rematch (to get ahead of oneself). The game was for the USA's taking, but a series of five-meter scrums to England into injury time finally broke the Eagles' backs, and a last-play, dive-over try snatched one of the greatest upsets the Eagles would have enjoyed in recent history.

And although Magrini admitted to "a sour taste in your mouth, having to end a game like that," she also retained perspective. "You can't dwell on outcomes," the captain advised. "We're picking apart what went well, looking at challenges ahead and how we can improve, but this is just the beginning. We're not supposed to be at peak performance right now."

Keeping that in mind, this evening's near-win against England was a confidence-boosting first step for the Eagles, and one only hopes it continues against Canada on Friday.

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Written by Jackie Finlan    Tuesday, 02 August 2011 19:43    PDF Print Write e-mail
USA Women So Close to England Win
National Teams - USA Women

A heartbreaker of a match evolved during the Women's Nations Cup this evening, and it's the USA that's left lamenting. After overtaking England 8-5 early in the second half (thanks to a Vix Folayan try), surrending the lead shortly afterward (10-8), Pam Kosanke slotted the go-ahead penalty for the 11-10 edge.

From there, the USA just needed to hold on for about 10 minutes. The Eagle defense had done a good job of slowing down the ball and stealing possession at the breakdown, frustrating England's attempts at quick ball. They were able to steal a couple of lineouts and drive the Roses' mauls back behind the gainline. On several occasions, the Eagles made a static puncher pay for their flat feet, and the defense worked at a pretty high rate.

The Roses had their chances throughout the match, as fullback Danielle Waterman carved up some open space and vice captain Maggie Alphonsi broke through the line at pace. But flankers Lynelle Kugler and Shaina Turley, and the back three were able to halt a few tries from being realized.

It wasn't all USA aggression, however, that allowed the Eagles to take the lead late into the game. Both teams were heavily penalized at the breakdown, and it's a miracle that no one was yellow carded. Kosanke was better on the day hitting penalties, while England captain Katy McLean missed all of her conversion and penalty attempts.

It's uncertain how England's final try evolved, as the Rugby Canada feed dropped as the Roses were attacking inside USA's 22 meter. USA WNT coach Pete Steinberg said that the referee added an extra six minutes of play, and the go-ahead points occured on the final play of the game. England won 15-11.

Even though the USA was so close to pulling off a fantastic upset victory, the performance was incredibly inspiring for viewers, who saw the Americans follow through on their goals, namely, an intense defense. It's one of the closest games that the Eagles have played against England, and they should be incredibly proud of their effort.

More detail to come as the players will shortly be released for interview.

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Written by RUGBYMag Staff    Sunday, 28 August 2011 18:53    PDF Print Write e-mail
August 2011 Scores
Scores-Standings-Stats - 2011 Scores

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August 27
NASC 7s Women
Pacific Coast 38-0 South
West 26-7 Midwest
USA Dev 19-7 Southern Cal
Northeast 21-5 MARFU

Plate Semis
MARFU 37-0 South
Southern Cal 26-5 Midwest

Cup Semis
Pacific Coast 15-0 Northeast
USA Developmental 24-7 West

7th Place: Midwest 30-0 South

Plate Final:
Mid-Atlantic 10-7 SoCal

3rd/4th:
Northeast 15-0 West

Cup Final
Pacific Coast 34-17 USA Developmental

NASC 7s Men
Pacific Coast 26-0 MARFU
West 17-12 South
Northeast 24-7 All Americans
Southern California 10-5 Midwest

Plate Semis:
MARFU10-7 Midwest
All Americans 22-14 South

Cup Semis:
SoCal 19-14 Pacific Coast 
West 24-7 Northeast

Plate Final:
All Americans 33-12 MARFU

7th/8th:
Midwest 19-12 South

3rd/4th
Pacific Coast 41-5 Northeast

Final:
SoCal 19-7 West

Big Ten 7s
MSU 22-7 Minnesota
Purdue 12-7 Wisconsin
Iowa 34-7 Ohio State
Minnesota 27-7 Nebraska
Penn State 34-10 MSU
Nebraska 22-7 Penn State
Ohio State 14-14 Purdue
Wisconsin 28-14 Iowa
Wisconsin 33-7 Ohio State
Iowa 22-17 Purdue

Plate Semis:
Minnesota 29-26 Ohio State
Purdue through

Cup Semis:
PSU 19-14 Iowa
Wisconsin 28-0 Nebraska

Cup Final
Wisconsin 21-14 Penn State

Men DII Club
Denver Harlequins 40-15 Denver Queen City

August 26
Men DI Club

Buffalo 3-46 Cincinnati Wolfhounds
Columbus 12-50 Detroit Tradesmen

Women DI Club
Chicago 23-8 North Shore


NASC 7s Women
MARFU 24-0 Southern California
Pacific Coast 19-10 Midwest
USA Dev 12-10 Northeast
West 29-15 South

MARFU 15-7 Midwest
Pacific Coast 35-0 Southern Cal
USA Dev 36-0 South
West 12-5 Northeast

Pacific Coast 12-5 MARFU
Northeast 29-0 South
USA Developmental 28-5 West
Midwest 22-10 Southern Cal

NASC 7s Men
Pacific Coast 20-14 SoCal
South 22-12 Northeast
All Americans 27-5 Mid-Atlantic
West 36-5 Midwest

Pac Coast 39-7 South
Southern Cal 29-0 Northeast
West 21-0 Mid-Atlantic
All Americans 24-14 Midwest

Pacific Coast 50-5 Northeast
SoCal 14-12 South
Midwest 22-5 MidAtlantic
All Americans 26-7 West

August 21
USA 14-20 Japan

August 20
Canadian Championships
Ontario Blues 41-7 Atlantic Rock
BC Bears 23-35 Prairie Wolfpack

August 13
Friendlies
Classic Eagles 14-10 Classic Canada

Women's Nations Cup
USA 29-9 South Africa

August 10, 2011
USA Selects 58-10 Glendale Raptors

August 9, 2011
Women's Nations Cup
South Africa 26-23 USA

August 7, 2011
Women's Club 7s Championships
Quarterfinals
NOVA 19-7 Atlanta
Berkeley 24-7 Glendale
Boston Belles 7-0 San Diego
DC Furies 20-12 Philadelphia

Semifinals
Berkeley 36-5 DC Furies
Boston Belles 17-7 NOVA

Final: Berkeley 36-0 Boston Belles

3rd Place: NOVA 12-7 DC Furies

Consolation Semifinals
San Diego 24-10 Atlanta
Glendale 7-5 Philadelphia

5th Place: Glendale 12-5 San Diego

7th Place: Atlanta 20-19 Philadelphia

9th Place: Seattle 19-5 Belmont Shore

Men's Club 7s Championships

Cup Final
Belmont Shore 37-14 Schuylkill River

Cup Consolation
Utah 26-7 Youngbloodz

Plate Final
Chicago Lions 33-7 Marist Hawaii

Plate Consolation
Middlesex 19-12 Exiles

Bowl Final
SFGG 22-5 Boston

Bowl Consolation
Atlanta 34-7 Denver

Cup Semis
Schuylkill 24-22 Utah
Belmont 17-12 Youngbloodz

Plate Semis
Marist Hawaii 19-12 Middlesex
Lions 14-12 Exiles

Bowl Semis
SFGG 19-14 Denver 
Boston 12-10 Atlanta

Bowl Quarterfinals
SFGG 33-7 New Orleans
Denver 28-5 Pittsburgh
Atlanta 22-10 OMBAC
Boston 15-12 Glendale

Cup Quarterfinals
Schuylkill River 29-15 Middlesex
Youngbloodz 22-21 Exiles
Utah 40-5 Marist Hawaii
Belmont 14-7 Chicago Lions



August 6
RWC Warmup Test Match
Canada 28-22 USA

Women's Club 7s Championship
Pool A
NOVA 37-0 Belmont Shore
NOVA 29-0 Philadelphia
NOVA 14-0 Boston Belles
NOVA 12-5 Berkeley
Berkeley 24-24 Boston Belles
Berkeley 50-0 Belmont Shore
Berkeley 32-0 Philadelphia
Boston Belles 31-0 Philadelphia
Boston Belles 38-0 Belmont Shore
Philadelphia 33-17 Belmont Shore

Pool B
San Diego 17-17 DC Furies
San Diego 24-0 Seattle
San Diego 10-10 Atlanta
San Diego 24-5 Glendale
DC Furies 27-5 Atlanta
DC Furies 17-12 Glendale
DC Furies 24-0 Seattle
Glendale 29-0 Seattle
Glendale 21-5 Atlanta
Atlanta 15-0 Seattle

Men's Club 7s Championship

Pool A
Utah Warriors 28-5 Glendale
Chicago Lions 26-12 SFGG
SFGG 0-5 Utah Warriors (22-19 SFGG win but forfeit on illegal sub)
Chicago Lions 31-7 Glendale
Utah 12-5 Chicago Lions
SFGG 29-7 Glendale

Pool D
YoungBloodz (Eastside ) 12-10 Denver Barbarians
Schuylkill River 24-5 OMBAC
Schuylkill River 21-12 YoungBloodz (Eastside)
Denver Barbarians 10-5 OMBAC
Schuylkill 21-14 Denver Barbarians
YoungBloodz (Eastside) 21-5 OMBAC

Pool C
Woodlands Exiles 19-5 Pittsburgh Harlequins
Middlesex 33-7 Atlanta Old White
Atlanta Old White 38-7 Pittsburgh Harlequins
Atlanta Old White 24-24 Woodlands Exiles
Middlesex 17-7 Pittsburgh
Woodlands 22-5 Middlesex

Pool B
Belmont Shore 24-7 Marist Hawaii
Boston 19-7 New Orleans
Belmont Shore 48-7 Boston
Marist Hawaii 17-12 New Orleans
Belmont Shore 43-0 New Orleans 
Marist Hawaii 17-17 Boston

August 5
Women's Nations Cup - Round 2
England 46-8 South Africa
Canada 35-17 USA

August 2
Women's Nations Cup - Round 1
England 15-11 USA
Canada 52-17 South Africa



Comments (2)
 
Written by Jackie Finlan    Tuesday, 02 August 2011 19:00    PDF Print Write e-mail
USA Women Keep England Close at HT
National Teams - USA Women

At the half, the USA Women trail England 5-3 during the teams' first Nations Cup match.

The Eagles have held up their end of the bargain, promising stiff defense and following through. Although the percentage of first-up tackles could improve, the Eagles have been bursting off the line and pressuring England to kick behind the defense.

While the American back three haven't dropped any of the several clearing kicks that England's Katy McLean has sent into USA territory, the Eagles also haven't made the best decisions in the counterattack. One such misstep helped set up England's try in the second quarter. With several players in position for a kick, Vix Folayan's return landed in the arms of fullback Danielle Waterman, who sidestepped her way deep into USA territory. Quick ball from the ruck allowed McLean to outrace Lynelle Kugler to the try line for the 5-0 lead.

The USA was able to put some points on the board before half, when the Eagles stole an England lineout and then drew a penalty. Inside center Pam Kosanke hit a great sideline kick to pull within two, 5-3.

England had a couple of occasions to widen the lead, but fullback Sam Pankey did a good job coraling and stalling the poaching English defenders on a kick ahead, and the USA defense turned over the ball when England looked ready to punch the ball over.

The USA hasn't had a successful lineout yet but has stolen a couple of England's. The Eagle offense, however, has missed a couple of opportunities, whether through an errant pass or penalty.

Stay tuned for more detail.

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Written by Pat Clifton    Tuesday, 02 August 2011 18:36    PDF Print Write e-mail
Nationals a New Height for Youngbloodz
Sevens - Club Sevens

Youngbloodz, a mostly-collegiate conglomerate out of Minneapolis, will make its debut at the Club 7s National Championships Saturday.

The five-year-old club, which finished second in the Midwest to the Chicago Lions, is the creation of Samoan coach Sam Robinson.

“Its good for the kids, and that’s the reason why I did it,” he told RUGBYMag.com about forging Youngbloodz. “It took me five years to put it together to make it to Nationals, and it’s great for the kids.”

When Robinson says kids, he’s not kidding. The elder statesmen on the Youngbloodz roster are 26, and Robinson estimates the rest of the lineup is 22 or younger.

One of those youngsters, who is a difference maker on the pitch, is Nate Augsperger, the diminutive scrumhalf from the University of Minnesota.  

“He’s such a little, little guy,” said Robinson of Augspurger. “He’s very small, he’s very tricky, he’s got a good step, he’s got good passing both sides, and that makes him a very creative player. That makes him a playmaker. He’s probably 5’4” or something, but what he does is what a 6’4” player would do.”

Another standout is Garrett Bender, a scholarship football player at St. Cloud State. Like most everyone who’s begun with Youngbloodz since the team’s inception, Bender had never played 7s before joining the club, but Robinson has molded the sizeable athlete, whom he coached in high school, into a game breaker.  

“(This summer) was his first year playing 7s, and he’s one of my go-to guys,” said Robinson. “He plays prop. He’s probably a 6’2” - 6’3” guy, 230 pounds. He’s a good athlete. He’s an attacker. He’s got good tackling. He’s quick.”

Though Augsperger and Bender stand out in the powder blue kit of the Youngbloodz, Robinson says it’s the selflessness of the team that’s their biggest strength.

“We play as a team. We respect each other, is what I started off with, and that was my main focus --  just putting together this group of guys and tell them every training, every game just respect each other. We don’t have any stars…We just play as a team and we respect each other.”

Youngbloodz is joined in Pool D by OMBAC, Schuylkill River and the Denver Barbarians. 

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