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Hopes were high for the Women Eagles after playing very well on day one at the Dubai 7s. However, those hopes came crashing down on day two as two poor losses saw them finish in seventh place. By finishing in seventh place the team has put more pressure on themselves to finish in the top four the rest of the season. With only six stops on the season they can't afford to seventh again.
U.S. 0-36 Canada
After playing with confidence on day one the team came out extremely flat against Canada in their Cup quarterfinal match and paid the price with a 36-0 beating. The U.S. was starved of possession for nearly the entire match and when they did have the ball they were shut down by the Canadian defense time and time again. Credit needs to go to Canada who played very well but overall the U.S. should have been able to put in a better performance.
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Canada scored their first try just a minute into the game when Jen Kish raced past two defenders. Ghislaine Landry then scored the first of her two tries only a few minutes later after the U.S. turned the ball over on a penalty. Her second try came off simple passing and poor U.S. defense. Canada finished off the half by stealing the U.S. line out and converted it into a try. Things were more even in the second half but three tries gave the match it's final score.
U.S. 21-24 Fiji
The day only got worse for the Eagles against Fiji. They played better than against Canada but considering their opponent this is a match the Eagles should have won. A poor start from the U.S. saw Fiji take a 19-0 lead in the first with tries from Asinate Savu, Esiteri Bulikiobo, and Rusila Nagasau. The U.S. were able to answer through Kelly Griffin from a movement beginning with quick tap at midfield to make it 19-7 at halftime.
The Eagles came out swinging in the second half and earned a try from Jessica Javelet but a second try from Savu would make it 24-14 with a few minutes left. Hannah Lopez would score a convert with a minute left but their poor first half left a hole the Eagles couldn't escape.
Eagles 22-20 Russia
The Eagles did end the day on a high note as they beat Russia 22-20 for seventh place. Russia were the first to score when Marina Petrova found a gap in her own half, beat Alev Kelter, and raced in for the try. The conversion would miss making the score 5-0. It would be 10-0 a few minutes later when Nadezda Kudinova scored. Crucially, the Eagles would pick up a try though Lopez. The try was set up by Javelet and Kathryn Johnson.
The second half didn't begin well as Petrova scored her second of the match with Russia. Still, credit to the Eagles for fighting back. Griffin broke through a bunch of tackles and the ball was eventually worked out to Kelter who scored to make it 15-12. Nana Fa'avesi would score on a quick tap a minute later and Javelet would score the winning try shortly after that. Russia scored late following Javelet being sent to the bin but it was too late.
Overall the Eagles can't be pleased with finishing in seventh place after their performance on day one. They showed the capability of finishing in the top four and to come out flat the way they did against Canada and Fiji has to be disappointing. Still, the signs are there that they have the ability to be terrific this season if they can just get consistency in their performance.