Magrini Reflects on USA's Narrow Defeat

Written by Jackie Finlan   
02 August 2011
www.RugbyMag.com

Sometimes a loss is as a good as win. That's the case in the USA Women's 15-11 defeat to England this evening during the Women's Nations Cup. Although the sting of surrendering the lead on the last play of the game will linger for some time, the Eagles are pleased with their performance against the #2 team in the world.

"We're feeling good," USA captain Kim Magrini said an hour after the match. "We recovering from a physically and mentally difficult game, but this was a fantastic step in the direction we want to go, both in this tournament and our four-year World Cup cycle. I'm really proud of the team."

Women's Nations Cup fixtures and results
Tuesday, 2 August
Canada 52-17 South Africa
USA 11-15 England

Friday August 5:  Pool Matches Day 2

• 4:30 pm EDT – England vs. South Africa
• 6:30 pm EDT – Canada vs. USA

Tuesday August 9:  Pool Matches Day 3

• 4:30 pm EDT – South Africa vs. USA
• 6:30 pm EDT – Canada vs. England

Saturday August 13:  Finals Day

• 2:00 pm EDT- 3rd vs 4th
• 4:00 pm EDT- 1st vs 2nd

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S NATIONS CUP
The Nations Cup tournaments are organized jointly by USA Rugby, the RFUW (England) and Rugby Canada. Two tournaments are held every other year, one for the senior women's national teams and one for the women's Under-20 national teams, with rotating host locations.

Women’s Collegiate All-American Touring Side Defeats CIS All-Canadian Team

Boulder, Colo.

The 2011 Women’s Collegiate All-American Touring Side faced the CIS All-Canada team on Sunday in the Can-Am Tournament and narrowly escaped with a 23-21 victory that went down to the final minutes.

The two days in between the All American’s last match with the Canadian team proved invaluable, as they were able to produce 20 points Sunday against the 3 points they earned Thursday.  Flyhalf, Kimber Rozier, led the way for the Women’s All-American Touring Side as she accumulated 18 points throughout the match.

England Women opened their Nations Cup campaign with a hard fought 15-11 victory over the USA on Tuesday night at Appleby College in Ontario, Canada, with only an extra-time try sealing the win.

The defending champions and 6 Nations title holders banked the victory thanks to tries from skipper Katy McLean, vice-captain Margaret Alphonsi and Richmond lock Rowena Burnfield, who scored the crucial match winning try in the 87th minute.

The USA pushed England all the way and a try from Victoria Folayan and two penalties from centre Pam Kosanke kept their charge going as they led 11-10 in the dying minutes of the game.

CANADA WINS BIG OVER SOUTH AFRICA
August 3, 2011 - by Jeff Hull - www.rugbycanada.ca

Canada ran away with a heavy 52 – 17 victory against South Africa, on the first day of Nations Cup competition, in Oakville, Ontario.

The Canadian women will now rest up for their match on Day #2 of the Nations Cup, against the U.S.A. in Chattam, on Friday.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
Minnesota Valkyries Rugby Football Club name recognition

CONTACT:
Jen “Trie” Triemstra, President Minnesota Valkyries Rugby Football Club
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.valkyriesrugby.org

MINNESOTA VALKYRIES NAME RECOGNITION

Minneapolis, MN 
April 7, 2011

With the new Lingerie Football League company adding an expansion team in Minneapolis, we are keenly aware of the confusion this can create between our organizations.  Although we speak respectfully of this new team, we are in no way affiliated, connected, or associated with the Lingerie Football League or its recently-announced plans for a new Minnesota team.

The Minnesota Valkyries Rugby Football Club has a long and rich history within Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as, through out the United States.  We have been in existence for over 30 years and had the awesome opportunity to help shape women’s rugby into the growing and popular sport it is today.  We are able to play in the USA Rugby Women’s Premier League, where we are currently ranked 4th in the country.  Our athletes are top notch with representation on the Midwest Territorial All-Star team, ranked 3rd in the country, and the USA Women’s National team, who placed 5th at the IRB Women’s World Cup this past fall.  With the upcoming 2016 Olympic games including women’s rugby as a debut sport, we look forward to Valkyries striving for a shot at Olympic gold.

As a non-profit organization with amateur athletes, we understand the need for energetic volunteers to help keep an organization running.  Thus, not only do we maintain stellar work ethic on the field, we also volunteer our time with various non-profit community organizations within the Twin Cities, volunteer with the Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation to help young kids get access to rugby, and volunteer to coach various high school and college teams throughout the Midwest.

Finally, the Minnesota Valkyries Rugby Football Club would like to thank all those who have and continue to share support of our identity within the athletic community.  Specifically, USA Rugby Football Union, Midwest Rugby Football Union, Minnesota Rugby Football Union and teams, USA Women’s Premier League teams, our local women’s teams, Twin Cities Amazons Rugby Football Club and Minneapolis Menagerie Rugby Football Club, our alumni, the Vintage Valks, and all of our fans who cheer us on.

If you need more information, please contact the President of Minnesota Valkyries Rugby, Jen “Trie” Triemstra via e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Check out video from the Midwest Thunderbirds game vs. Collegiate All-Americans!

Click the thumbnail above to launch the video!

Video by:

Gary Bingner
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The winning bid has been announced and it’s none other than our very own Twin Cities!  Beginning May 27th, eight All-Star women's teams from around the country will arrive to compete in the annual inter-territorial tournament.  The games will be played at the National Sports Center in Blaine and hosted by USA Rugby, Midwest Thunderbirds, The Valkyries, and the Twin Cities Amazons.

Games will be played on Friday and Sunday with the weekend culminating in a social on Sunday evening.  You can find a schedule of events, participating teams, and a list of sponsors at the official NASC 2010 website!

The Valkyries started off their spring season this year in Menomonie, holding a skills clinic with the University of Wisconsin’s Eau Claire and Stout rugby teams.  Thirty-five ruggers from the two schools joined the Minnesota Valkyries to improve their passing, defense, and positional skills.  Over the course of the Saturday clinic, the Wisconsin women made great gains, building on their existing abilities and becoming more confident players.  The Valks look forward to returning for another clinic next spring and working with these two colleges in the near future.  If you are interested in having the Valkyries come to your school to work with you, contact The Recruiting Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it