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USA Women set for World Cup camp

(From: IRB.COM) Thursday 1 July 2010

"It is never an easy task to trim down a squad we have been working with for almost four years," said admitted Flores...

USA Women's coach Kathy Flores has made the difficult task of cutting down her squad to 26 players for Women's Rugby World Cup 2010, which kicks off in 50 days time in England.

Flores, who tasted World Cup glory herself as a player in 1991, has also named four reserves who will join the squad for a three-week residency camp from 10 July at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.

"It is never an easy task to trim down a squad we have been working with for almost four years," said admitted Flores, who guided USA to fifth in the 2006 World Cup in Canada.

"With the 2010 World Cup less than two months away, we are working to prepare for every variable possible and select according to the needs of the team, in regards to the commitment and dedication of each individual and their contribution to the squad."


The residency camp will focus a lot on individual and unit skill work, along with strength and conditioning sessions, video analysis and creating game plans for the World Cup.


The Women's Eagles will arrive in camp just under a month after losing a two-test series to neighbours Canada and the squad features a number of players with past World Cup experience, including forwards Jamie Burke and Phaidra Knight as well as Ashley English in the backline.

The residency camp will focus a lot on individual and unit skill work, along with strength and conditioning sessions, video analysis and creating game plans for the World Cup.

Flores will also bring in skill specialists, sports psychologists, nutritionists and select media personnel to work with the squad as they prepare for the premier tournament in the Women's Game.

The squad will also take time out of their preparations to host an Under 19 clinic for new players on 12 July before playing a Northeast Rugby Union All-Star Women's Team in a final warm up match on 25 July.

USA will open their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign against Kazakhstan on 20 August before facing Ireland and Six Nations Grand Slam winners England in their remaining Pool B matches.

"We don't have the luxury to look past any team at the Women's Rugby World Cup," added Flores. "While we were playing Canada in June, Kazakhstan played close matches with South Africa.

"Ireland is lining up practice competition in the coming month and I am sure England will be training and lining up practice matches as well. No team is taking anything for granted in this event."

"...No team is taking anything for granted in this event."


USA Women's squad:

Forwards: Sharon Blaney (Beantown), Stacey Bridges (Texas A&M), Jamie Burke (Beantown), Lisa Butts (Berkeley All-Blues), Melanie Denham (Beantown), Farrah Douglas (Keystone), Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All-Blues), Phaidra Knight (New York), Jillion Potter (Minnesota Valkyries), Beckett Royce (Oregon Sports Union), Lara Vivolo (New York), Kittery Wagner (Beantown), Maurin Wallace (Beantown), Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries).

Backs: Claudia Braymer (Albany), Emilie Bydwell (Beantown), Amy Daniels (Beantown), Ashley English (Berkeley All-Blues), Victoria Folayan (Berkeley All-Blues), Melissa Kanuk (Minnesota Valkyries), Ashley Kmiecik (Oregon Sports Union), Lynelle Kugler (Twin Cities Amazons), Kim Magrini (Keystone), Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues), Vanesha McGee (New York), Christy Ringgenberg (Minnesota Valkyries).

Reserves: Stephanie Bruce (Berkeley All-Blues), Kate Daley (Keystone), Naima Reddick (Berkeley All-Blues), Hannah Stolba (Minnesota Valkyries).



Christy Ringenberger scores

Christy Ringgenberg scores in the first half, but it was not enough as the Women Eagles fell to Canada 34-22 in the second match of the series. Photo: Bill English

USA Women Lose its Second Match to Canada, Finish Can-Am 0-2

6.19.10 - from USARugby.org
LANGFORD, B.C. - The U.S. Women's National Rugby Team lost its last game of the Can-Am series on Friday, marking a 0-2 record against its Canadian opponents after the 34-22 defeat at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, BC.

The Canadians looked strong out the gate, scoring a try by fullback Julianne Zussman after just two minutes, but a yellow card in a pivotal position halted Canada's momentum and brought the USA to life.

"...That key moment is when we lose a little bit of our momentum and that's when the Canada side was able to get right back into it and come back at us." -Kathy Flores, Head Coach


Contests between the North American rivals have been notoriously close; the last four matches have been decided by seven points or less, including Monday's test when Olympian Heather Moyse scored a last-minute to give Canada a 14-8 victory.

Canada's first three tries were all scored by the backs as the end result of simple offloads after touching several sets of hands. Zussman's initial try clearly stung the USA who could only muster 12 points in the opening frame.

The Americans rallied after half and the 27th test between these two nations became another arm wrestle.

Canadian scrumhalf Laura Stoughton was given a yellow card for not rolling away at the breakdown, leaving Canada unsure of whom to slot into the central role. Match captain Maria Gallo stepped into the position, more for her leadership abilities than her pass, and the Canadians were able to hold the States scoreless while a player down.

However, Canada exhaled early and USA wing Vanesha McGee crossed the line just as Stoughton returned to the pitch, leveling the score at 22.

The U.S. worked its way down to the Canadian five meter line numerous times, but Canada's defense held and shifted the match's momentum yet again. Shortly thereafter, Stoughton found redemption for her absence in the form of a try, scoring in similar fashion to the first three. Replacement flanker Heather Jaques capped off an exceptionally sharp game with Canada's last try.

While the U.S. would make several more convincing attempts, Canada would hold on to secure their home Can-Am sweep.

"Did we fix some things (from Monday's game)," U.S. Women's National Team Coach Kathy Flores asked rhetorically. "Yes, we did. Do we have a lot of things to work on? Yes, we do. The Canadians played very, very well.

"Normally when we get behind we can't come back, but there was a point where we were able to tie the score after being down, which was actually good for us," Flores added. "Where I think we lack a little discipline is where the Canadians are very good. When they get scored on they come right back at something and they're ready for it and I think we tend to sit back a little bit because we just scored. That key moment is when we lose a little bit of our momentum and that's when the Canada side was able to get right back into it and come back at us."

This two-game series for the U.S. marks the last matches for the U.S. before travelling to London for the Women's Rugby World Cup, which kicks off for the U.S. Women on August 20 against Kazakhstan.

Although the Can-Am series wasn't necessarily the confidence builder the U.S. had hoped for, it did allow the National Team Coach a closer look at the players she will bring with her to England later this summer.

"There are 30 players in the pool right now," Flores explained, "and we'll narrow it down to 26 (for the RWC). I have a good idea of 20, at least, and the remaining six spots will depend on how the person played during this weekend, what we know they can do, all those types of things."

This two-game series for the U.S. marks the last matches for the U.S. before travelling to London for the Women's Rugby World Cup, which kicks off for the U.S. Women on August 20 against Kazakhstan.

Scoring:
Canada 34 (22)
Tries: Julianne Zussman, Brittany Waters, Mandy Marchak, Laura Stoughton, Heather Jaques, Conversions: Schnell (2), Marchak, Penalties: Schnell

USA 22 (10)
Tries: Christy Ringgenberg, Emily Bydwell, Vanesha McGee
Conversions: Ringgenberg (2), Penalties: Ringgenberg

U.S. Women's Lineup:

  1. Jamie Burke (Beantown)
  2. Lisa Butts (Berkeley All-Blues)
  3. Lara Vivolo (New York Rugby Club)
  4. Jillion Potter (Minnesota Valkyries)
  5. Sharon Blaney (Beantown)
  6. Melanie Denham (Beantown)
  7. Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries)
  8. Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All-Blues)
  9. Kim Magrini (Keystone)
  10. Christy Ringgenberg (Minnesota Valkyries)
  11. Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues)
  12. Emilie Bydwell (Beantown)
  13. Lynelle Kugler (Twin Cities Amazons)
  14. Vanesha Mcgee (New York Rugby Club)
  15. Ashley English (Berkeley All-Blues) *Captain
  16. Farrah Douglas (Keyston)
  17. Maurin Wallace (Beantown)
  18. Stacey Bridges (Texas A&M)
  19. Phaidra Knight (New York Rugby Club)
  20. Melissa Kanuk (Minnesota Valkyries)
  21. Amy Daniels (Beantown)
  22. Ashley Kmiecik (ORSU)

USA vs Canada Poster

Article from www.rugbycanada.ca
Friday, June 18, 2010 - Submitted by Meghan Mutrie - NSWT Communications Officer

Canada’s National Senior Women’s Rugby Team won its last match before the World Cup and completed a sweep of the Can-Am series by defeating the USA Eagles by a score of 34-22 at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, BC.

The way Canada came out of the gate with fullback Julianne Zussman scoring a try after just two minutes, they looked to run away with the match, but a yellow card in a pivotal position halted Canada’s momentum and brought the USA to life.alt


Contests between the North American rivals have been notoriously close; the last four matches have been decided by seven points or less, including Monday’s test when Olympian Heather Moyse scored a last-minute to give Canada a 14-8 victory.

Canada’s first three tries were all scored in the backs as the end result of simple offloads after hitting several sets of hands. Zussman’s initial try clearly stung the USA who could only muster 12 points in the opening frame.

The Americans rallied after half and the 27th test between these two nations became another arm wrestle.

Scrumhalf Laura Stoughton was given a yellow card for not rolling away at the breakdown, leaving Canada unsure of whom to slot into the central role. Match captain Maria Gallo, who reached 50 caps today, stepped into the position more for her leadership abilities than her pass, and the Canadians were able to hold the States scoreless while a player down.

Canada exhaled too early and USA wing Vanesha McGee crossed the line just as Stoughton returned to the pitch, leveling the score at 22.

The NSWT found themselves on their own 5m line numerous times, but their defense held and shifted the match’s momentum yet again. The Canadian pack stood out for its efforts all over the pitch, but especially in open play, both offensively and defensively.

Stoughton found redemption for her absence in the form of a try, scoring in similar fashion to the first three.  Replacement flanker Heather Jaques capped off an exceptionally sharp game with Canada’s last try.

From there, it was a matter of battening down the hatches to weather the certain USA storm. Canada would hold on to give them the Can-Am sweep, and assurance that they have come a long way since losing to the USA in the 2009 Nations Cup in August.

These two wins over the USA give Canada the perfect platform from which to narrow their focus - and their squad - to the World Cup in August.

Head Coach Johnathan Long has asked his team to play in the National Women’s League Final to get as much match-time as possible before August.

A squad of 26 athletes and six non-travelling reserves will go to the 2010 World Cup in England. The roster will be announced publicly after the NWL Championship once the NSWT coaching staff has had a chance to confirm the availability of all 32 players selected.

Canada will play Scotland in the opening match of the 2010 Rugby World Cup in London on August 20.

Scoring:
Canada 34 (22)
Tries: Julianne Zussman, Brittany Waters, Mandy Marchak, Laura Stoughton, Heather Jaques
Conversions: Schnell (2), Marchak
Penalties: Schnell

USA 22 (10)
Tries: Christine Ringgenberg, Emily Bydwell, Vanesha McGee
Conversions: Ringgenberg (2)
Penalties: Ringgenberg

Canada’s NSWT is proud to be sponsored by Landlink Consulting Ltd.

For added coverage of the NSWT, including match photos, player blogs and regular updates, please join the NSWT’s Unofficial Facebook Fan Page.

US and Canada before their match
Photo by Bill English

U.S. Women's Lineup:

  1. Jamie Burke (Beantown)
  2. Lisa Butts (Berkeley All-Blues)
  3. Lara Vivolo (New York Rugby Club)
  4. Jillion Potter (Minnesota Valkyries)
  5. Sharon Blaney (Beantown)
  6. Melanie Denham (Beantown)
  7. Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries)
  8. Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All-Blues)
  9. Kim Magrini (Keystone)
  10. Christy Ringgenberg (Minnesota Valkyries)
  11. Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues)
  12. Emilie Bydwell (Beantown)
  13. Lynelle Kugler (Twin Cities Amazons)
  14. Vanesha Mcgee (New York Rugby Club)
  15. Ashley English (Berkeley All-Blues) *Captain
  16. Farrah Douglas (Keystone)
  17. Maurin Wallace (Beantown)
  18. Stacey Bridges (Texas A&M)
  19. Phaidra Knight (New York Rugby Club)
  20. Melissa Kanuk (Minnesota Valkyries)
  21. Amy Daniels (Beantown)
  22. Ashley Kmiecik (ORSU)


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