NACRA 7s: U.S. Women Qualify For Rio

Photo: Russell Dibb

After falling just short against England at the Amsterdam 7s and the automatic Olympic qualification that came with a fourth place finish the Women Eagles have finally booked their ticket to Rio with a win at the NACRA 7s. As expected the women dominated on both day one and day two scoring a combined 369 while only giving up five. After savoring qualifying for Rio, something they and the program have worked toward for a number of years, the team will now have all next season to get ready for Rio.

Eagles 88-0 Mexico

The U.S. qualified after beating Mexico in the final ???. Kristen Thomas got things started with an early try before Nana Fa'Avesi doubled the lead. Kate Zackary and Kelly Griffin then had tries as the U.S. ran up to a 26-0 lead with a few minutes left in the first half. Zackary and Fa'Avesi would each add one more and Lauren Doyle would score as the U.S. went into the break up 45-0.

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The second half started with another try from Griffin. Doyle the scored just a couple of minutes later quickly followed by another for her hat-trick. Hannah Lopez then scored two quick tries of her own to make it 74-0. Melissa Fowler and Griffin finished off the scoring leaving the final score at 88-0.

Starters: Fa'Avesi, Griffin, Doyle, Zackary, Kelter, Stephens, Thomas.

Eagles 59-0 The Bahamas

First up on the day was The Bahamas. Like on day one the Eagles had no trouble earning a big win. Straight from the opening kick Zackary got the U.S. on the board. Fa'Avesi (twice), Doyle, and Thomas all scored in the first half to put the U.S. up 33-0. Thomas opened the scoring in the second half while Richelle Stephens, Lorrie Clifford, and Griffin also had tries.

Starters: Kelter, Griffin, Stephens, Zackary, Fa'Avesi, Doyle, Thomas

Eagles 53-5 Jamaica

The U.S. also had an easy time in their semi-final match against Jamaica. Once again it didn't take long as Kelter scored. Zackary then scored a couple of tries to go along with efforts from Thomas and Doyle. Fowler, Doyle again, Carmen Farmer, and Lopez would also add tries. It wasn't a perfect effort as Jamaica did score a well worked try. It was the first points given up by the U.S. in the tournament.

Starters: Thomas, Kelter, Zackary, Griffin, Fa'Avesi, Doyle, Stephens