USA Women’s Eagles Defeat Spain in first match of 2023

The USA Women’s Eagles had a strong start to their 2023 season with a win against Spain on Saturday, setting themselves up with confidence for their first Pacific Four Series match next weekend. Eight Eagles made their USA debuts earning their first international cap in the warmup match. 

Ahead of the match, Interim Head Coach Rich Ashfield noted that the focus for Saturday was on team cohesion on the field and a look at how the rookie players would mesh with the veterans on the squad. Despite some unforced errors and an impressive attack from Spain, the entire squad stuck to their strengths with great carries and teamwork out of set pieces. 

The USA will now look to carry momentum into next Saturday as their 2023 Pacific Four Series campaign kicks off against Canada in Madrid. Watch live on April 1 at 11 a.m. ET.

The Eagles burst onto the field with early points by Hope Rogers, who touched the ball over the line within the first six minutes of the game. The USA worked hard to keep the ball in Spain’s territory through the kicking game, and work from the offensive and defensive side kept the Eagles pushing in. Several knock ons kept turning the ball over, but Spain struggled to earn prolonged possession for the first 20 minutes. 

Spain tried to get over the Eagles’ strong defensive wall by kicking into USA territory, but debutant Summer Harris-Jones channeled her sevens speed to catch and carry the ball back. The play didn’t get very far, as Spain earned the ball back and took it into Eagles territory for the first time at 27 minutes. A conceded penalty gave way for a Spain kick, giving them three points on the board. 

It wasn’t long before the Eagles responded, as Spain conceded their own penalty just minutes later. Gabby Cantorna slotted the ball through the posts for three more USA points. At the restart, Spain made their way toward the try line, and it was looking hopeful for them until the Eagles earned the ball back to push Spain’s attack back. 

Spain took another penalty kick with three minutes left of the first half. Scrappy play continued from both sides, with some fumbling of the ball and turnovers. Good defense from Spain and unforced errors on the USA side kept the Eagles from scoring again in the first half after their opening try. 

The Eagles began their second half play on a positive note. Bulou Mataitoga evaded Spanish defense to carry the ball before offloading to Eti Haungatau, who pushed her defender over the try line in the corner for USA points right off the bat. Mataitoga was a threat on the outside all game, going hard into contact and creating opportunities for the offense. 

Spain proved to be dangerous with the ball, as they found the space to run over the try line off a scrum, but the USA kept on the pressure, and a penalty called no try. They took a penalty kick shortly after to try and even the score as the clock ticked down. The second half was defined by a strong kicking game on both sides as the two teams tried to gain territory, but it was set pieces that more so defined the scores. 

Following a lost line out on the USA try line, Spain went to the scrum to score their first try of the match, taking the 14-13 lead and putting pressure on the Eagles to get into their zone. The kicking game ended in a line out for the Eagles, with newly capped Eagle Jett Hayward throwing the ball. A textbook driving maul gave the USA space for Hope Rogers to touch the ball down under the posts. Her second try of the day with Gabby Cantorna’s conversion putting the Eagles back in the lead. 

With less than 10 minutes left, the Eagles needed to keep the ball out of Spain’s hands. The Spanish attack picked up pace, with what looked to be an intercept and breakaway up the middle, however the referee whistle brought the ball back under USA control. Both squads continued through a few recycles before the Eagles kicked to touch with expired time, ending the match 20-14. 

Head Coach Rich Ashfield noted, “Obviously happy to get the win, also very happy to have handed out eight new caps to players who looked comfortable on the international stage. We set out to win the gain line and be physical, and I think we did that overall. We need to be a bit more clinical in the opposition 22 but we are creating very clear chances we just need to put them away. I think this was a good baseline and I think shows we are going in the right direction, we just need a little more cohesion and that comes with time together. We are well aware Canada will be a very different beast and will punish us for our errors.” 

The Eagles will recoup after the match for the week as they prepare for their meeting with Canada for the first match of the 2023 Pacific Four Series. USA v. Canada kicks off Saturday, April 1, at 11 a.m. ET.