AYLESBURY, England – The Women’s National Team endured a blustery day on the Royal Air Force (RAF) Halton pitch in its first match of the 2007 First Sports International England Tour against the Nomads on December 8.
Faced with harsh conditions, the U.S. team pressed on through the wind and rain but could not find the right striking points to overpower the Nomads. Despite the USA’s best efforts to take advantage of breaks in their opposition’s game, at the final whistle it was the Nomads over the Women’s Eagles 24-0.
“Though the conditions were not favorable, we as a team performed to the best of our capabilities,” team captain Kristin Zdanczewicz said following the match. “However, we did not capitalize on the opportunities that we were given, and the Nomads were able to benefit from our mistakes.”
“As a team, we want to improve from this starting point. It’s a goal we are completely capable of achieving,” Zdanczewicz added.
The Women's National Team next meets England A on Wednesday, December 12 at 7 p.m. GMT and wraps up its three match tour against England on December 15 at 2:30 p.m. GMT; both matches will be played at London Irish ARFC, Sunbury.
For more information on the Women’s National Team and to read daily journal entries from the First Sports International England Tour, please log on to www.usarugby.org/goto/women_eagles.
USA 0
1. Farrah Douglas (Chicago North Shore); 2. Lisa Butts (Berkeley All-Blues); 3. Jamie Burke (Berkeley All-Blues); 4. Shaina Turley (San Diego Surfers); 5. Stacey Baker (Philadelphia); 6. Sara Merritt (San Diego Surfers); 7. Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries); 8. Blair Groefsema (Berkeley All-Blues); 9. Rose Whitmore (Berkeley All-Blues); 10. Jossy Tseng (Stanford University); 11. Nathalie Marchino (Berkeley All-Blues); 12. Mel Kanuk (Maryland Stingers); 13. Lynell Kugler (Olde Girls of Glendale); 14.Vanesha McGee (Philadelphia); 15. Ashley Kmiecik (Emerald City Mudhens). Reserves: 16. Mari Wallace (Berkeley All-Blues); 17. Heather Jennings (Seattle); 18. Jaime Lange (Olde Girls of Glendale); 19. Kati McCormick (Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee); 20. Carrie DuBray (New York); 21. Meg Crapster-Pregont (Cornell); 22. San Juanita Moreno (Oregon Sports Union); 23. Melissa Smit (Stanford University); 24. Emilie Bydwell (Brown University); 25. Ashley English (Berkeley All-Blues).
NOMADS 24
