The USA Women’s Sevens team finished Day One at the Canada 7s in Langford, BC 3-0 after putting in three very gritty performances.

It wasn’t easy, as the Eagle offense didn’t quite fire most of the time, but defensively the Americans put together some inspired play.

Spain opened up the first game by dominating possession, and while the Spanish did eventually go over fo the opening try of the game, it took almost four minutes for the Lions to do so. The USA made tackle after tackle inside their own 22,  and were a little unfortunate not to get a penalty in one or two rucks.

? HIGHLIGHTS: After an amazing opening day, here's a look back at the action of day one of #Canada7s#DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/GF5yltn1qv

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 12, 2019

The Eagles went on the attack after that only to give up an interception try. It wasn’t until the final four minutes of the game that the USA finally put together some useful attacking movements. 

But they scored really from a defensive position. After halting Spain just before the try line and getting a scrum, the USA passed the ball around deep in their 22, and then found Kristi Kirshe, who raced over 80 meters to score under the posts.

Nicole Heavirland (pictured below, hugging her mom who is there for Mother's Day Weekend) skated around the outside to take a pass and gallop through. And then with time up, Naya Tapper set up Alex Kelter on a smart line to bust through and finish off the game 21-12.

Against Fiji the Eagles again struggled to break free, and only really did so after Kelter and Abby Gustaitis took over. Controlling the physical side of the game, those two broke through for two key tries—Kelters featuring three insane sidesteps—with Tapper racing in at the beginning and at the end of the game for two more. USA 28 Fiji 7.

And in the final game of the day, the Eagles scored two early tries and then spent much of the rest of the game defending. And defend they did. Even down a player when Kelter was yellow-carded, they hung tough, bursting up on the French team, tackling behind the gain line, and forcing mistakes.

France, in the end, was unable to score, and the two early tries held up, 12-0.

Kelter and Gustaitis led the effort, but Heavirland was key and all over the place. Ilona Maher made a crucial try-saving tackle in each game, holding up France under the posts being one of them. All of the players made crucial plays with their backs against the wall.

It doesn’t get any easier on Day Two as the USA plays host nation Canada in the quarterfinals. Clinching Olympic Qualification is on everyone’s mind. 

Langford 7s Quarterfinals

New Zealand vs Spain 

USA vs Canada 

England vs France

Australia vs Russia