A fight to the finish in the Bronze Play-Off against France saw the USA Women’s Eagles Sevens end their Perth SVNS campaign in another bittersweet 4th.
Coming into this fourth stop off the back of two 4th place endings, the Eagles were dialed in and ready to one up themselves. The new look team delivered with first international tries from Rachel Strasdas, Autumn Czaplicki, as well as from Rugby World Cup 2025 scrumhalf Cass Bargell who made her USA Eagles Sevens debut.
The USA Women opened Pool A against Fiji. After a yellow card gave Fiji an early lead, Rachel Strasdas quickly responded, collecting a restart and running the length of the pitch scoring her first USA try. Tries from Ariana Ramsey and Su Adegoke extended the Eagles' lead 17-5 at halftime. On the restart, Sammy Sullivan dived across the line giving the Eagles enough buffer over two tries from a Fiji comeback. Cass Bargell came off the bench to make her USA Sevens debut at scrumhalf helping the USA move the ball and secure the win with scores from Autumn Czaplicki taking her first try in a USA jersey, and Kaylen Thomas finishing the match 34-15.
Japan kicked off with intensity taking the first score. Bringing it back in range, Ashley Cowdrey offloaded with a pass out the back to set Strasdas up for the first match try. A penalty in the Eagles favor and Ramsey shifts the ball wide off a scrum to Thomas who handles well to pop off to Adegoke wrapping around to fly in on the edge just before halftime. Footwork and fight from Thomas on the restart secured the Eagles third try, soon followed up by another. USA line speed stifled Japan’s go forward and Su Adegoke capitalized, piercing Japan’s defensive line to run straight in under the posts. Japan responded with a try but USA closed out with an Ariana Ramsey try after the buzzer sealing the win 38-14.
The Eagles finished second in Pool A after taking on a clinical New Zealand side. The Black Ferns took control early scoring on the opening play. The USA Women stayed composed through the half, but on the restart, the Kiwis defensive line staved off USA attempts to get through and take the win.
The USA Women opened day two against the hosts, Australia feeding off the crowd energy and putting two tries on the board in the first half. On the restart, the Wallaroos read well to intercept the Eagles’ forward momentum and dot down their third try of the match. Su Adegoke spots her chance to strike and barrels through the Wallaroos line running in points for the Eagles, but a subsequent Australian try seals the Wallaroos win 26-5 seeing the USA advance to the 3rd Place Play offs against France.
France struck fast and hard with two quick tries. Cass Bargell responded clinching her first try in the USA Sevens jersey. A try saving tackle from Thomas keeps the Eagles within striking distance. Intense speed and defensive pressure from both sides force the USA to take hard lines and Adegoke breaks through, despite the tackle, Sullivan’s support line clears up to deliver the ball under the posts. A France turnover shifted the ball out with pace to go one up and a penalty to France in the final minute gave Les Bleues back possession as they kicked into touch to secure their win 21-14.
Now just over halfway in the HSBC SVNS Series, the USA Women’s Eagles will travel back to the USA for a training block before the final two stops of the series in Vancouver, and at home in NYC.
USA Eagles fans can watch the action live March 14-15th at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at: https://sitickets.com/group/team/hsbc-svns-new-york
| Player # | Player | Sevens Caps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ariana Ramsey | 18 |
| 2 | Erica Coulibaly | 4 |
| 3 | Tahna Wifley | 4 |
| 5 | Vasiti Turagavou | 2 |
| 9 | Cass Bargell | 1 |
| 12 | Kristi Kirshe (C) | 34 |
| 15 | Rachel Strasdas | 11 |
| 19 | Kaylen Thomas | 8 |
| 22 | Sammy Sullivan | 19 |
| 24 | Su Adegoke | 11 |
| 26 | Ashley Cowdrey | 5 |
| 30 | Tessa Hann | 3 |
| 99 | Autumn Czaplicki | 6 |
USA v Fiji | 34-15
Tries: Strasdas, Ramsey, Adegoke, Sullivan, Thomas, Czaplicki
Conv: Wilfley, Cowdrey
USA v Japan | 38-14
Tries: Strasdas, Adegoke (2), Thomas (2), Ramsey
Conv: Cowdrey, Wilfley (3)
USA v New Zealand | 0-31
Cup Semi Final: USA v Australia | 5-26
Tries: Adegoke
3rd Place Play Off: USA v France | 14-21
Tries: Bargell, Sullivan
Cone: Cowdrey (2)
November 29 - 30 | Dubai - 5th Place
December 6 - 7 | Cape Town - 4th Place
January 31 - February 1 | Singapore - 4th Place
February 7 - 8 | Perth - 4th Place
March 7 - 8 | Vancouver
March 14 - 15 | NYC
April 17 - 19 | Hong Kong
May 29 -31 | Valladolid
June 5 - 7 | Bordeaux
Emilie Bydwell | Head Coach
Tony Roques | Assistant Coach
Charlie Purdon | Technical & IDP Skills Coach
Ben Pinkelman | Support Coach
Lauren Barber | Performance Analyst
Trey Ford | Head of Athletic Performance
Ashley Morataya | Assistant S&C
Nicole Titmas | Head of Athlete Health & Wellness - 7s / Women's 7s Head ATC
Meghan Chambers | Rehab Specialist
Jackie Rodriguez | Athletic Trainer
Jacque Scaramella | Dietician
Peter Haberl | Sport Psychologist
Liz Strohecker | Head of High Performance Operations - 7s
Maria Adams | High Performance Operations Coordinator - 7s
Jenni Burke | High Performance Communications Manager