Sedrick was one of five USA try-scorers (Photo: P Yates / World Rugby)
The USA is 1-0-1 at Fast Four 7s in Edmonton, defeating Mexico 37-0 in round two. The Eagles will now face 1-0-1 Great Britain, which tied an empowered Canada 7-7, at 2:44 p.m. MDT. Canada’s two ties makes for an interesting round three, where point differentials will likely determine semifinal matches Sunday.
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The starting lineup had almost entirely changed over from the USA’s first game (Sarah Levy was the repeat starter), and the squad stepped up. Mexico relied on a tighter offload game, but the result was more ball in hand and phases on attack.
Approximately two minutes into the match, Spiff Sedrick scored the first points of the game. Lote Tausinga, who had a great game, drew in the defense with a power carry up the middle, and the recycle worked to the Life University alumna, 5-0.
Good pressure defense from Lauren Thunen and Emily Fulbrook had Mexico regrouping in retreat, and a solid Rachel Strasdas tackle allowed Tausinga to get over the top for the not-releasing penalty. The 19-year-old tapped through the mark and drove across the try line, 10-0.
A high-tackle penalty handed Mexico the ball but the defense again forced a bad pass that Fulbrook recovered. Alena Olsen picked off the back of the ruck to commit the close defense, setting up a 1 v 1 for Levy. The New York stepped her opposite for the team’s third try, 15-0.
Mexico started to build some flow on attack and worked its way to the USA’s end, but a penalty in the breakdown put the ball back in the Eagles’ hands. From a scrum, Sedrick drew the defense in and then shipped the ball to Tausinga, who then worked Alessandra Bender and Vanessa Rodriguez in their multiple attempts to tackle the Sacramento Amazons player. After some cutting and shaking, Tausinga was back in the try zone: 20-0 into the break.
Some confusion around the second-half kickoff receipt could have been an issue, but Thunen did well to recover the ball. Olsen came across the middle of the field and hit the switch with Fulbrook, who tore through the defense for the long-range score, 27-0 with Olsen’s conversion.
The crowd was on Mexico’s side and erupted as Les Serpientes put together its best attack of the day. Tausinga was yellow-carded in the ruck, and Mexico did well to take advantage of the numbers. New York’s Jenn Salomon was at the middle of it all, getting those out-the-back passes to on-running teammates, and keeping the defense scrambling. Mexico captain Isabela Gonzalez was on her way to the try line when Strasdas completed an excellent pursuit tackle to halt the breakaway. The captain got across the line but with a double-movement, and the try was nullified.
The USA restarted with a five-meter scrum and Olsen cleared the ball to the Eagles’ 30 meter. Mexico held onto its lineout but the USA stole the ball shortly afterward. Canett did a good job regrouping in open space, and then linked with Steph Rovetti for the score, 32-0.
An unforced knock-on put the Eagles in good attacking possession, and off the scrum ball, Canett was able to suck in two defenders, opening the gap for Levy and a final try, 37-0. Great Britain is the final game of the day before knockouts on Sunday.
USA 37
Tries: Levy 2, Tausinga 2, Sedrick, Fulbrook, Rovetti
Cons: Olsen