2024-07-30 01:10:03
Ilona Maher and the United States women’s rugby sevens team are chasing a podium finish at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Their mission is under way in Paris.
Maher and her teammates opened pool play on July 28 with matches against Japan and Brazil.
More:Vermont’s Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher is catching attention online. See why
To stay current on how Maher and Team USA’s fared during the three-day tournament, read our live recaps below. Latest items will be added to the top of this file.
France pulls away from Ilona Maher, Team USA
POOL PLAY GAME NO. 3
Final score: France 31, United States 14
► Match details: Maher scored the game’s opening try, but France and Séraphine Okemba sped past the Americans to seize Pool C with an undefeated record. Okemba picked up four tries for the host nation, which opened a 24-7 lead in the second half after trailing 7-0 from Maher’s early try. Maher and Team USA have an upcoming quarterfinal later today as the tournament moves to the knockoff phase.
Quarterfinals up next for Ilona Maher, U.S. women’s rugby sevens
QUARTERFINALS
Teams: United States vs. Great Britain
Time: 3:30 p.m. eastern
TV: E!
Stream: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com (subscription required with Peacock)
Ilona Maher, U.S. women’s rugby sevens cruise past Brazil
POOL PLAY GAME NO. 2
Final score: United States 24, Brazil 5
► Match details: Maher added another long, second-half try to help Team USA topple Brazil and improve to 2-0 on the day during the opening matches for pool play in Paris. The U.S. women also secured a spot in the quarterfinals.
Ilona Maher, U.S. women’s rugby sevens rout Japan in opener
POOL PLAY GAME NO. 1
► Final score: United States 36, Japan 7
► Match details: After surrendering the game’s opening try, Team USA quickly countered and zoomed past Japan. The U.S. squad led 29-7 at the halftime break, with Maher sparking one of those successful tries with a tackle and forced turnover of a Japanese player. In the second half, Maher, from deep in her own end, uncorked a splendid run with a punishing stiff-arm on her way to a score.
More:How to watch Vermont’s Ilona Maher, US women’s rugby sevens at Paris Olympics
Contact Alex Abrami at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.
