The United States was trying everything it could think of in the waning seconds to score, as they were backed up to their own goal line and had one last, daring chance at a medal. The ball eventually found its way into Alex Sedrick’s hands at that point.
The 26-year-old rugby sevens player’s task on Tuesday night, when she collected a ball with eight seconds to go before halftime, was simple: cross the Australian goal line and score five points to tie the game with a final whistle.
She accomplished just that, completing a coast-to-coast breakaway try as time expired and then nailing the game-winning conversion kick to give the United States an unlikely 14-12 victory against Australia and a bronze medal. This is the team’s first Olympic medal.
“I mean, I’ll give my first-born child to ‘Spiff’ Sedrick,” played by American Ilona Maher. “It was crazy because I thought, ‘No, no way this is happening.'” And then she has to make the kick as well — even though she is not our kicker.”
During warmups, Sedrick practiced kicking since coaches warned her that depending on how the team’s substitutions worked during the game, she could be called on to kick at some time. She missed both pregame tries.
“I just put it out of my mind,” Sedrick said. “Whatever happens is gonna happen and maybe I won’t even have to take a kick.”
During her scoring play, Sedrick faced two rapid-fire tackle attempts from Australian players, dropping both in short succession. After avoiding the first potential tackler, she bowled over the second. All that stood between her and the Australian in-goal was the dazzling green of the Stade de France surface.
“I mean, I’m just trying to channel my big girl, Ilona Maher, and just be like her to get downfield,” Sedrick said, referring to a popular video of Maher leveling her opponent on a try from earlier this week.
Maher claimed she was stunned to see Sedrick leap over the line as she attempted to catch up from far downfield.
“I couldn’t even believe it,” Maher remarked. “I’m just so thrilled with her, and she’s been an MVP for me this season. And people should take note of her.
Despite Australian players’ hard pursuit, Sedrick went unchallenged, leaping in for a five-point try that knotted the game at 12-12 before her conversion.
The extra insanity of Sedrick having to take the conversion kick? She had no idea it would be required. While running toward the goal line, she assumed her attempt would be the winning score, not the game-tying points.
During the medal ceremony later that evening, several of the American players were spotted in tears as they received their medals. Maher was among them, sobbing as the bronze was put around her neck.
“Very surreal,” Maher said. “But, for me, I was also thinking about all the individuals who did not get medals. All of our colleagues who do not understand this, but are still an important part of our program. Everyone, including the alternates and coaches. People who were not picked for the squad. So everything made me really depressed.
In Tuesday’s latter match, New Zealand defeated Canada to win gold.
Around two hours after the Americans won the bronze medal, USA Rugby announced that Michele Kang, an investor who owns three international women’s soccer teams, including the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, will donate $4 million to the US women’s rugby sevens squad.
The contribution will be distributed over the following four years as a commitment to assist the team expand the sport and offer resources for coaches and players in preparation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Kang said in a statement that 2024 has been a fantastic year for women’s sports, with record-breaking attendance and viewership, and women’s rugby is no exception.
“This Eagles squad, headed by Ilona Mahor, Lauren Doyle, and Naya Tapper, has captured millions of new fans, bringing unprecedented exposure to the sport. I am delighted to help these exceptional sportsmen accomplish their ambition of winning gold in Los Angeles in 2028. “That work begins now.”
Has the USA women’s rugby ever medaled?
The USA Women’s Sevens defeated Australia in the bronze medal final, claiming the first-ever American medal in rugby sevens.
Who won gold in women’s rugby 2024?
New Zealand’s women’s rugby team performs the Haka after winning the gold medal.
