The American women's rugby team aimed to disrupt Australia’s fast-paced offense in the bronze medal match. Entering the game, the U.S. women were already assured of their best finish in Olympic rugby history, having previously placed sixth in Tokyo and fifth in Rio. They capped off this opportunity with a thrilling last-second upset, defeating Australia 14-12 to secure the bronze medal.
The decisive moment came on the final play when Alex Sedrick powered through Australia’s defense, sprinting nearly the entire length of the field to score the game-tying try. Under immense pressure, she successfully converted her own kick, sealing the victory for the Americans.
FULL RESULTS
In the first half, Maddison Levi continued her impressive tournament performance, scoring her 13th try of the Paris Games to give Australia a 7-0 lead—the most tries scored by an individual in a single Olympic Games. Ilona Maher led a promising run for the Americans midway through the first half, but their momentum was halted when Teagan Levi received a yellow card for a high tackle.
With the advantage, the Americans created several scoring opportunities. Kayla Canett nearly scored a try, but Faith Nathan tackled her into touch just in time. However, Canett quickly redeemed herself with a powerful tackle in the try zone, regaining possession for the U.S. On the following scrum, three-time Olympian Alev Kelter bulldozed through the Australian defense to score, converting her own try to level the match at 7-7 as the teams headed into halftime.
Australia threatened early in the second half with a dangerous run from Maddison Levi, but Sariah Paki knocked the ball on while receiving a pass in the try zone.
The American defense effectively contained Australia’s potent offense for most of the second half. However, a scrum penalty with less than 90 seconds remaining allowed Australia to regain possession, and Maddison Levi capitalized, crossing the try line for her 14th try of the tournament, putting Australia ahead.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Australians made a bold decision to kick deep. Ariana Ramsey set up Sedrick to receive the ball in American territory, and she made an impressive play, stiff-arming Teagan Levi to the ground and sprinting the length of the field to tie the match. Sedrick converted her try from right under the posts, giving the Americans a 14-12 victory in the bronze medal match.
This remarkable comeback marked the first medal of any kind for the U.S. in men’s or women’s rugby sevens and the first rugby medal (15s or 7s) for the U.S. since 1924, when the men won gold. With this victory, head coach With this victory, head coach Mike Friday expressed immense pride in his team's resilience and determination throughout the tournament. The players showcased exceptional teamwork and skill, overcoming significant challenges to secure their place on the podium. This historic win not only highlights the growth of rugby in the United States but also serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the athletes and coaching staff.
The bronze medal match was a thrilling display of athleticism, with both teams fighting fiercely for every point. Sedrick's pivotal try and conversion were crucial moments that shifted the momentum in favor of the Americans. The victory is expected to inspire a new generation of rugby players in the U.S., as the sport continues to gain popularity and recognition on the international stage.
As the team celebrates this milestone achievement, they will also look ahead to future competitions, aiming to build on this success and further establish themselves as a formidable force in the world of rugby sevens.
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