USA Women’s U23s Head Coach Katie Dowty announced today the twenty-eight athletes that will convene in Quincy, Massachusetts, for a two-game matchup with Canada.
Hosted by the New England Free Jacks, the first match will kick off July 26 at 7pm ET, with the second played on July 30 at 12pm ET at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Tickets are now available, with a live stream of both matches free to air on The Rugby Network.
This match series comes off a successful tour for the U23s in South America, where they took home the tournament title at the Americas Rugby Trophy.
The traveling squad includes new and well-known names, including 2021 Rugby World Cup Center Eti Haungatau. Eagles on the U23 squad also include Kristin Bitter, 2023 MA Sorensen Award Winner Keia Mae Sagapolu, Freda Tafuna, Taina Tukuafu, and Mona Tupou, who all join the team following their participation in the second leg of the 2023 Pacific Four Series in Ottawa. At the Pacific Four Series, these newly capped Eagles provided a new opportunity for them to showcase their new energy and the growing talent in the USA Rugby pathways.
Tiahna Padilla, Sereana Vulaono, and high school talents Reece and Olivia Woods also head to the U23s following a successful two-match series in Ottawa with the U20s program, where the team defeated Canada for the first time since 2015. Sevens stand-outs Susan Adegoke, Alex Wantlin, Tessa Hann and Autumn LoCicero also join the XVs squad after a strong showing during the NextGen 7s in Langford.
“This squad is full of hungry young players who will feature in the upcoming World Cups. Several have already made their debuts on the senior squad, with 10 attending the recent top 40 camp, six who featured in the PAC4, and four who led the U20s. For those veteran players, it will be key to bring their learnings and leadership from those events into this next opportunity. Eti Haungatau had a stand out performance in the last World Cup, and this will be a wonderful chance for her to express herself and lead our next generation of Eagles.
We’re also injecting newly identified talent from the recent U23 All-Star tournament. Mikaela Hall (Queens, prop) and Lewanda Aspinall (BYU, flanker) are new faces who we expect could make a big impact. The progress of several returning age grade players - Malia Isaacs, Matalasi Morissette, Sayler Russell and Tua Tanupo - has also been a great outcome of the All-Star tournament.
It’s a blend of experience, with some incredible leaders who I know will bring the team together quickly and inspire a huge performance against Canada.”
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Susan Adegoke | Life University |
| Lewanda Aspinall | Brigham Young University |
| Kapoina Bailey | Lindenwood University |
| Kristin Bitter | Dartmouth College |
| Samantha Brackett | Rhinos Academy |
| Alyssa Cunningham | Sacred Heart University |
| Lauren Ferridge | Dartmouth College |
| Mikaela Hall | Queen's University |
| Tessa Hann | Central Washington University |
| Eti Haungatau | Sale Sharks |
| Malia Isaacs | Harvard University |
| Alivia Leatherman | Notre Dame College |
| Autumn LoCicero | Life University |
| Matalasi Morrissette | Utah Peaks |
| Leila Opeti | Life West Gladiatrix |
| Tiahna Padilla | Harvard University |
| Sayler Russell | Long Island University |
| Keia Mae Sagapolu | Central Washington University |
| Freda Tafuna | Lindenwood University |
| Tua Tanupo | EPA Lady Razorbacks |
| Queenette Toomalatai | Rhinos Academy |
| Taina Tukuafu | Lindenwood University |
| Mona Tupou | EPA Lady Razorbacks |
| Anna Van Dyk | Quinnipiac University |
| Sereana Vulaono | Chicago Lions |
| Alex Wantlin | Life University |
| Reece Woods | Eagle High School, Idaho |
| Olivia Woods | Eagle High School, Idaho |
| DATE | MATCH | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 26-Jul (7p ET) | USA vs Canada | Quincy, MA |
| 30-Jul (12p ET) | USA vs Canada | Quincy, MA |
