The U.S. women’s rugby team suffered a defeat to New Zealand in the Olympic semifinals on Tuesday, yet they still have an opportunity to secure their first Olympic medal in Paris.
Earlier on Tuesday, the U.S. was defeated by New Zealand with a score of 12-24. Alev Kelter and Kristi Kirshe each scored a try for the United States, while Alena Olsen completed a conversion.
Following this defeat, Team USA is set to compete against Australia for the bronze medal at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
The United States has not earned a medal in women’s rugby since the sport was introduced at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Win or lose in the bronze medal match, this will be the team’s highest Olympic finish to date. The USA secured fifth place in Rio and sixth in Tokyo, guaranteeing at least a fourth-place finish in Paris.
In the other semifinal, Australia was beaten by Canada with a score of 12-21. Canada will face New Zealand for the gold medal at 1:45 p.m. The teams previously met in group play earlier in the tournament, where New Zealand triumphed 33-7.
Should New Zealand win the gold medal on Tuesday, they will be the first nation to claim two gold medals in women’s rugby sevens.
Who is on the U.S. women’s rugby team in 2024 in Paris?
Here’s a look at who is on the women’s rugby team for Team USA!
- Alena Olsen (Caledonia, Michigan)
- Alev Kelter (Eagle River, Alaska)
- Ariana Ramsey (King of Prussia, Pennsylvania)
- Ilona Maher (Burlington, Vermont)
- Kayla Canett (Fallbrook, California)
- Kristi Kirshe (Franklin, Massachusetts)
- Lauren Doyle (Team Co-Captain – Boody, Illinois)
- Naya Tapper (Team Co-Captain – Charlotte, North Carolina)
- Sammy Sullivan (Fayetteville, North Carolina)
- Sarah Levy (San Diego, California)
- Alex “Spiff” Sedrick (Herriman, Utah)
- Steph Rovetto (Reno, Nevada)
How does scoring work in rugby?
Here’s a look at how scoring works in rugby:
- 5 points – Try: scored when a player runs the ball over the goal line and touches it to the ground
- 7 points – Penalty try: scored when a serious foul prevents a likely try from occurring
- 2 points – Conversion: scored when a player from the team that scored a try attempts to drop-kick the ball through the uprights
- 3 points – Penalty: A team that is the victim of a serious foul can choose to “kick for goal” and would earn three points if successful
- 3 points – Drop goal: scored when a player kicks a goal from a drop-kick in open play
top 5 most gold medal countries in Paris Olympics till now
Stephen Nedoroscik USA’s male gymnasts won bronze
Team USA earn medal in swimming