From their opening win against Canada, the USA Women’s Eagles Sevens delivered an inspiring performance from start to finish to take 3rd Place at HSBC NYC SVNS.
Taking wins against Canada and Japan, the USA fell to Australia and New Zealand before taking the win in the Bronze place play off for the sixth final stop of the HSBC SVNS Series.
After moving up the table from 5th in the series opener in Dubai, followed by 3 fourth place finishes, the USA Women closed out with two Bronze podium performances.
Proud of the team and their continued progression throughout the series, Head Coach Emilie Bydwell commented;
“It's been an awesome two weeks. We came into this block, knowing that we were going to have to level up, particularly on day two. We fell short in three bronze medal games, before we hit these two weeks, and we really focused on stepping it up.”
“The players responded so well to what we were asking them to do, and just empowered each other and believed in each other and lived our values. I'm really proud of them. The thing is though, as happy as we are to win a medal at home, it’s what we said we wanted to do, and we've done it. I think we all - at least I have a little feeling in my stomach knowing that there's so much more for this team, and we just have to trust the process and keep going, because we're two and a half years away from where we're trying to get to (LA28), and right now, the girls are exactly where they're supposed to be.”
Opening against Canada again for the second time this series, the Eagles delivered a commanding performance from the start. Ariana Ramsey set the tone with an opening try holding the Canadians off through half time. Captain Kristi Kirshe ran away with the second try before Ramsey dotted down again as the team fell into stride.Sammy Sullivan looked in the win with a final try holding off the rivals from adding any points to the board.
Keeping the momentum going into match number 2 against Japan the USA Women’s Eagles kept their defensive stronghold, conceding zero points to the Sakura. Kirshe barreled through to take the opening try quickly following it up with the second for the team. A turnover from Tahna Wilfley passed off to Sariah Ibarra secured the third try just at the half time buzzer. Sammy Sullivan opened the second half with a score followed by two successive groundings from Kaylen Thomas. Hann Humphries runs the ball down offloading to Ramsey to dot down under the posts for the USA’s 47-0 win.
With 71 points scored and 0 conceded the USA Women’s Eagles faced Australia for their third and final pool match of the day.
USA went point for point with 2 first half tries from Ariana Ramsey against Australia holding at 14 all at half time. Sammy Sullivan responded to the Wallaroos opening try on the restart but one more Aussie try cemented the win for the visitors topping Pool B 26-19 and advancing the Eagles to the 3rd place play off against New Zealand.
The USA came back on day 2 against New Zealand in fighting form. The Black Ferns dotted down first, but hometown hero, Su Adegoke broke through for her first try of the weekend and put the Eagles ahead 7-5 at half time. On the restart, two New Zealand tries sealed the Kiwis win, but not without relentless determination from the Eagles as Kaylen Thomas ran in a try just ahead of the final whistle.
Looking to solidify a repeat podium position, the USA took on Fiji in the 3rd Place Play- Off. Fiji took the opening points, but Captain Kirshe roared down to level up. Fiji responded immediately, and Adegoke battled back with Sariah Ibarra converting both and putting the Eagles up 14-10 at the half. Kaylen Thomas and Ariana Ramsey ran in two tries solidifying a formidable lead giving the Eagles a comfortable buffer despite the Fijiana's subsequent score closing the match out 26-17.
NYC SVNS marks the final stop of the HSBC SVNS series with the SVNS World Championship on deck kicking off first in Hong Kong April 17-19 before touching down in Valladolid and Bordeaux.
USA fans can follow along live on Paramount+.
| Player # | Player | Sevens Caps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ariana Ramsey | 20 |
| 2 | Erica Coulibaly | 6 |
| 3 | Tahna Wifley | 6 |
| 12 | Kristi Kirshe (C) | 36 |
| 13 | Sarah Levy | 19 |
| 15 | Rachel Strasdas | 13 |
| 19 | Kaylen Thomas | 10 |
| 22 | Sammy Sullivan | 21 |
| 24 | Su Adegoke | 13 |
| 26 | Ashley Cowdrey | 7 |
| 28 | Sariah Ibarra | 11 |
| 29 | Hann Humphreys | 7 |
| 33 | Nalu Liufau* | 2 |
| 99 | Autumn Czaplicki | 8 |
Saturday, March 14, 2026
USA v Canada | (W) 24-0
Tries: A. Ramsey (2), K. Kirshe, S. Sullivan
Conv: A. Cowdrey, S. Ibarra
USA v Japan | (47-0)
Tries: A. Ramsey, K. Kirshe (2) , S. Sullivan, K. Thomas (2), S. Ibarra
Conv: A. Cowdrey (3), S. Ibarra (3)
USA v Australia | (L) 26-19
Tries: A. Ramsey (2), S. Sullivan
Conv: A. Cowdrey (2)
Sunday, March 15, 2026
USA v New Zealand | (L) 26-14
Tries: S. Adegoke, K. Thomas
Conv: A. Cowdrey, T. Wilfley
USA v Fiji | (W) 26-17
Tries: A. Ramsey, K. Kirshe, S. Adegoke, K. Thomas
Conv: A. Cowdrey, S. Ibarra (2)
November 29 - 30 | Dubai - 5th Place
December 6 - 7 | Cape Town - 4th Place
January 31 - February 1 | Singapore - 4th Place
February 7 - 8 | Perth - 4th Place
March 7 - 8 | Vancouver - 3rd Pace
March 14 - 15 | NYC - 3rd Place
April 17 - 19 | Hong Kong
May 29 -31 | Valladolid
June 5 - 7 | Bordeaux
Emilie Bydwell | Head Coach
Tony Roques | Assistant Coach
Charlie Purdon | Technical & IDP Skills Coach
Ben Pinkelman | Support Coach
Lauren Barber | Performance Analyst
Trey Ford | Head of Athletic Performance
Ashley Morataya | Assistant S&C
Nicole Titmas | Head of Athlete Health & Wellness - 7s / Women's 7s Head ATC
Meghan Chambers | Rehab Specialist
Jackie Rodriguez | Athletic Trainer
Jacque Scaramella | Dietician
Peter Haberl | Sport Psychologist
Liz Strohecker | Head of High Performance Operations - 7s
Maria Adams | High Performance Operations Coordinator - 7s
JP Juarez | Videographer
Paris Malone | Digital Content
Jenni Burke | National Team Media Manager
