Who's Online

We have 69 guests online
Hits : 1464922
World Cup 2010! - Canada Sweeps Series PDF Print E-mail
Article Index
World Cup 2010!
USA Women Set for World Cup Camp
USA Women Lose Second Match to Canada
Canada Sweeps Series
All Pages
Page 4 of 4

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)


Share |

<< Prev - Next
 
We have 69 guests online

Web Contacts

The Communications Chair of the Minnesota Valkyries works with contributing editors in order to produce, publish and maintain the content of this site.  If you have questions, issues or suggestions concerning the site content please contact our Communications Chair Laura Gill.

This Web 2.0 internet appliance was created by Scot Technologies, LLC.  If you experience trouble with this site, please contact our Webmaster.

Terms of Use

The Minnesota Valkyries web site is for the use of our club, fans and the general rugby community.  The Minnesota Valkyries work in conjunction with Scot Technologies, LLC to maintain the site.  The Minnesota Valkyries are solely responsible for the editorial content.

Charter Member
USAR Women's Premier League

Suggestions

If you have suggestions for our user interface, registration process or methods of interacting with our our on-line audience please contact Christy Ringgenberg - Membership Services.

If you have suggestions about ongoing articles, public interest stories, content you would like to have syndicated or issues that are important to you please contact Laura Gill - Communications Chair.

RugbyTheme Joomla WebSites