Canada win U20 CanAm 2-0
Canada’s Women’s Under-20 team sealed the 2014 Can-Am Championship on Saturday with a 43-6 win over our southern rivals the United States. The game was played at Norm Perry Park in Sarnia in front of an enthusiastic crowd of rugby fans.
Published by John Birch, August 26th, 2014
4 minute read
Featuring 8 changes to the line-up, the young Canadian side was slightly nervous, dropping several balls in the opening minutes, but quickly calmed down and rose to the challenge.
After several phases of possession Canada would be the first team on the scoreboard in the 13th minute with a try by Coreen Riley. The play started with scrumhalf Jess Neilson as she took a quick penalty run deep in American territory before eventually distributing to the scorer Riley.
Just minutes later Canada would score again after a brilliant run by centre Breanne Nicholas. From the base of a centre-field scrum Neilson passed to Nicholas along the right sideline who, after flying by a handful of defenders, was finally taken down deep in American territory. From the proceeding ruck Canada was able to capitalize on the good territory and Riley crossed over the line for her second try of the evening.
In the 28th minute Canada would run the exact same scrum play, from a very similar field position, and achieve the same result. Neilson passed once again to Nicholas who offloaded to speedster Emma Jada in contact. Jada cruised past defenders along the sideline before eventually being brought down just inches from the goal line. Team captain Deleka Menin would eventually pick the ball and plow her way into the endzone for Canada’s 3rd try of the contest.
Flyhalf Alex Tessier would score Canada’s 4th try in the 36th minute following a powerful rolling attack. Canadian no.8 Tiffany Picketts would smash through American defenders just moments later, resulting in a 2nd try for Tessier and 31-0 lead for Canada going into half-time.
Despite a strong effort in the second half the Americans could not make the comeback though would get on the scoreboard with two penalty kicks. Canada would add 2 more tries to make the final score 43-6.
Canadian player Breanne Nicholas would win the designation “Player Of The Series.”
Coach Sandro Fiorino:
"We had a slow start, a lot of our girls were nervous because it was their first time playing for Canada. The second half was much better as the team refocused on the game plan and performed on a higher standard."
Captain Deleka Menin:
“From the beginning of the week all the way to the end the girls have been connected and we bonded really fast. We love each other and its been great getting to know each other. Its been an amazing opportunity to play with these amazing girls and to come out and perform. I think we really showed that Canada at this level has strong players and will for years to come
AIG Women's Junior All-Americans | v Canada
1. Elizabeth Groff (Nalbandian @ 40')
2. Etta MyLau (Wasserman @ 50')
3. Abby Ellen Vogel
4. Katie Mueller
5. Melissa Hargadine
6. Frieda Fetuu
7. Gioanna Cruz (Decker @ 41')
8. Kyla Chipman (Field Captain) (Zeiders @ 65')
9. Brianna Kim (Vice Captain)
10. Nikki Richardson (Hingano @ 62')
11. Bridget Amoako (Ordway @ 47')
12. Gabriella Cantorna
13. McKenzie Hawkins
14. Caitlin "CJ" Whiteside
15. Lilly Durbin
AIG Women's Junior All-Americans | Reserves
16. Hope Wasserman
17. Sheila Decker
18. Azniv Nalbandian
19. Mata Hingano
20. Adrianna Zeiders
21. Ashley Rolsma
22. Ashlee Byrge
23. Danielle Ordway
Canada | Starting XV
1. Colleen Irowa
2. Coreen Riley (Tuttosi @ 40')
3. Deleka Menin (C)
4. Camille Provencal-Aubin (Ellis @ 44')
5. Dorian Khouri (Elliot @ 44')
6. Lauren Agnew (Svoboda @ 40')
7. Katie Svoboda
8. Maddy Mackenzie (Picketts @ 18')
9. Jess Neilson
10. Alex Tessier
11. Caroline Crossley
12. Fabiola Forteza
13. Breanna Nicholas
14. Emma Jada (Spice @ 44')
15. Stephanie Black (Lesco @ 40')
Canada | Reserves
16. Tiffany Picketts
17. Emily Tuttosi
18. Alexandra Ellis
19. Sasha Elliot
20. Sarah Svoboda
21. Natalie Lesco
22. Danielle Spice