Zackary to lead Women’s Eagles in November

Kate Zackary will captain the USA Women’s Eagles for their three-match November campaign. The dual international flanker is joined by just eight other members of the 2017 World Cup squad as new coach Rob Cain looks to the future. Of the 34 players on the roster an extraordinary 20 have yet to win their first caps at senior level.

Front rows Catie Benson, Nic James, and Katy Augustyn are joined by experienced locks Stacey Bridges, Kristine Sommer, and Alycia Washington. Jordan Gray is set to resume as first choice No8 but there is only one returning World Cup back in flyhalf or center Kimber Rozier.

Among the new names are three members of the Junior All-American squad that competed in the Tri-Nations Cup earlier this year. Prop Tiana A’au, hooker Eti Haungatau, and second row Mckenna Strong are all handed their first senior call-ups.

The Eagles will start their fall campaign against the New Zealand Black Ferns at Soldier Field on November 3. They will then depart for Europe where they will face England at Allianz Park in London on November 9 and Ireland at Energia Park on November 18.

FORWARDS
Tiana A’au (Central Washington), Catie Benson (Life West), Melissa Finkelstein (Glendale), Nic James (Houston), Az Nalbandian (Penn State), Megan Rom (Life), Katy Augustyn (Berkeley), Eti Haungatau (USA Sevens), Joyce Taufa (Lindenwood), Stacey Bridges (Beantown), Kristine Sommer (Harlequins, UK), Mckenna Strong (Lindenwood), Alycia Washington (New York RC), Jordan Gray (USA Sevens), Misha Green (New York RC), Rachel Johnson (Oregon), Darian Lovelace (Atlanta Harlequins), Kate Zackary (San Diego Surfers)

BACKS
Nikki Kenyon (Life West), AnnaKaren Pedraza (Lindenwood), Carly Waters (New York RC), Gabby Cantorna (Glendale), McKenzie Hawkins (Lindenwood), Kimber Rozier (Beantown), Emily Henrich (Dartmouth), Evan Hoese (Berkeley), Cortney Kuehl (Atlanta Harlequins), Meya Bizer (USA Sevens), KB Broughton (Atlanta Harlequins), Jennine Duncan (Seattle Saracens), Sarah Levy (New York RC), Frankie Sands (Darlington Mowden Park, UK), Kelsi Stockert (USA Sevens)

NON-TRAVELING RESERVES
Bui Baravilala, Sarah Buonopane, Tess Feury, Joanna Kitlinski, Neariah Persinger, Finau Tamaivena, Elizabeth Trujillo, Brittany Simunac, Nicole Strasko