USA vs. Japan
The 2024 Paris Olympics Women’s Rugby Sevens tournament kicked off pool play with a thrilling set of twelve matches on Sunday. Among these, the Pool C clash between the United States and Japan stood out, as the Americans secured a dominant victory, defeating Japan 36-7 in their opening match.
The U.S. women, driven by a desire to improve on their sixth-place finish in Tokyo, showcased their skill and determination from the onset. However, the match didn’t begin as smoothly as they hoped. Japan’s Sakura Mizutani found a significant gap in the American defense, sprinting through to score the first try of the game, putting Japan up 5-0.
The American team quickly regrouped and responded with vigor. Sarah Levy, making her Olympic debut, wasted no time in answering Mizutani’s try, leveling the score. Shortly after, Kristi Kirshe broke through a tackle on the ensuing kickoff, propelling the Americans into a 12-7 lead. The momentum continued to swing in favor of the U.S. as Kirshe and Sammy Sullivan added two more tries before halftime, establishing a solid lead.
The second half saw the American offense continue their dominance. Ilona Maher, a key player for the U.S., showcased her prowess with a well-executed try. Alex Sedrick also contributed to the scoreboard, sealing the game with another impressive try. The American defense held strong, preventing any further scoring from Japan, and ensuring an emphatic 36-7 victory.
This convincing win sets a positive tone for the U.S. women’s team as they aim for Olympic glory in Paris. Their strong offensive performance and solid defense highlight their potential to be serious contenders in the tournament. With this victory, they have laid a solid foundation for the rest of their pool play and beyond.
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USA vs. Brazil
In a display of skill and determination, the United States women’s rugby team continued their strong start at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a commanding 24-5 victory over Brazil in their second Pool C match. Coming off a big win earlier in the day, the U.S. team aimed to maintain their momentum and achieved just that through a blend of experienced leadership and dynamic play.
The match began with veteran Alev Kelter setting the tone for the Americans, using a powerful stiff arm to fend off Thalia Costa and score the opening try. The U.S. offense flowed smoothly, and a near score by Ariana Ramsey following a slick passing sequence demonstrated their cohesive play. However, in a moment that underscored the sportsmanship inherent in rugby, play was halted when Gisele Santos of Brazil sustained a serious injury and had to be carted off the field. The game resumed with Thalia Costa scoring a try from five meters out, leveling the score at 5-5.
As the first half drew to a close, the U.S. capitalized on an overload situation. Sammy Sullivan seized the opportunity, hitting the line at full speed to score the go-ahead try in stoppage time, giving the Americans a 12-5 lead at halftime.
The second half saw the U.S. facing a resilient Brazilian defense. The Americans pressed hard, and their persistence paid off when Ilona Maher broke through, turning the corner and sprinting nearly 80 meters to score an impressive insurance try. Alex Sedrick added another try to seal the victory for the United States, bringing the final score to 24-5.
With this win, the U.S. women improved to 5-0 in pool play over the last two Olympics, showcasing their consistency and strength in the tournament. The team’s blend of experience, sportsmanship, and tactical prowess bodes well for their aspirations of Olympic glory in Paris.
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USA vs. France
The third session of women’s sevens matches at the 2024 Paris Olympics brought clarity to the classification and quarterfinal matchups following an intense round of group matches. One of the most anticipated matchups was between France and the United States, both entering the game with perfect records. Ultimately, Seraphine Okemba’s explosive four-try performance propelled France to a commanding 31-14 victory, securing the top spot in Pool C, while the Americans finished second and will face Great Britain in the quarterfinals.
The anticipation and excitement for this clash of unbeaten teams were palpable. The United States struck first, with Ilona Maher scoring a try set up by a long run from Kristi Kirshe, giving the Americans an early lead. France quickly responded as Seraphine Okemba found a gap down the left flank to score, though the missed conversion left the score at 5-7. Another try by Okemba, under similar circumstances, put France ahead 10-7 by halftime.
The second half saw Okemba continue her dominance with another magnificent solo effort, extending France’s lead. Caroline Drouin successfully converted the try, pushing the score to 17-7. Chloe Jacquet then added to the lead with a try, followed by another accurate conversion from Drouin, making it 24-7. Despite the growing deficit, the U.S. showed resilience, with Naya Tapper scoring a long try late in the match. However, Okemba sealed the victory with her fourth try of the game, resulting in a final score of 31-14 in favor of France.
With this win, France topped Pool C with a 3-0 record, while the United States secured the second spot. The Americans will now look ahead to their quarterfinal matchup against Great Britain, aiming to bounce back from this defeat and continue their pursuit of Olympic glory. France, buoyed by Okemba’s standout performance, advances with confidence as they eye a podium finish in Paris.
