Women's Rugby | 4/1/2017 10:53:00 PM
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. -- Julianne Zussman, a McGill University graduate, scored one try as the Canadian women's rugby team captured the 2017 Can-Am Series title after a 37-10 win over the United States Saturday afternoon at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Centre.
Canada, ranked third in the world, also defeated the No.7 ranked USA 39-5 in the series opener on Tuesday. The Canucks improved to 18-18 all-time vs USA.
Zussman, a 30-year-old who was born in Ottawa and raised in Montreal, graduated in 2008 with an arts degree, majoring in international development studies. As a member of the McGill Martlets, she merited RSEQ rookie-of-the-year honours in 2004 and achieved RSEQ all-conference status in 2005. After graduating, she went to Switzerland to complete a master's in sports administration. Also a product of the Castaway Wanderers rugby football club in Montreal and the Town of Mount Royal RFC, the 5-foot-6 fullback has been part of the national program since 2007 and is employed as a communications coordinator with the Canadian Sport Institute in Victoria, B.C.
Canada came out firing on all cylinders Saturday, controlling the pace of play for the entire first half while dominating the scrum. Captain Kelly Russell scored the first try of the match after the No. 8 picked the ball from the back of the scrum and powered over to give Canada an early 7-0 lead.
"The collective understanding of the movement is understood and our scrum is powerful," said head coach Francois Ratier. "It's all about reading and executing at pace with accuracy."
Zussman and Magali Harvey followed that up with a try each and Canada were up 17-0 at the break.
It was an impressive opening 40 minutes for the Canadians, who held 65 percent of the possession.
USA looked to change momentum in the second half with a try just two minutes in, but Harvey soon followed with a penalty kick.
USA scored a try two minutes later but it was Canada again with a quick response through Emily Belchos, who fended off the American defender with a powerful stiff-arm for the try. Belchos then used her foot to place a perfect grubber to find Elissa Alarie racing down the wing for the try.
Harvey added some insurance in the closing minutes with her second try of the match as the Quebec City native finished with a game-high 17 points.
The Can-Am Series kicked off what is going to be a busy year for Canada's senior women in the lead-in to the 2017 World Cup in Ireland this August. Canada will now travel to New Zealand for a three-game tour to face New Zealand, England and Australia.
Canada's Game 2 Roster vs. USA (Name, University, Club, Hometown):
1. Carolyn McEwen, Laurier & UBC / Burnaby(Vancouver, BC)
2. Laura Russell, Western / Toronto Nomads / Cowichan RFC (Bolton, ON)
3. DaLeaka Menin, Calgary / Calgary Hornets (Vulcan, AB)
4. Tyson Beukeboom, StFX / Aurora Barbarians/Cowichan RFC (Uxbridge, ON)
5. Latoya Blackwood, Western & Concordia / Westshore RFC (Montreal, QC)
6. Jacey Grusnick, Guelph / Aurora Barbarians (Alliston, ON)
7. Karen Paquin, Laval / Club de Rugby de Quebec / Castaway Wanderers (Quebec City, QC)
8. Kelly Russell — (captain) Western / Toronto Nomads / Cowichan RFC (Bolton, ON)
9. Chelsea Guthrie, Alberta / Stratchona Druids (Edmonton, AB)
10. Emily Belchos, Westshore RFC (Innisfil, ON)
11. Magali Harvey, StFX / Club de Rugby de Quebec (Quebec City, QC)
12. Amanda Thornborough, StFX / Westshore RFC (Brandon, MB)
13. Brittany Waters, Victoria & UBC / Meraloma Athletic Club/Castaway Wanderers (Vancouver, BC)
14. Elissa Alarie, UQTR / Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC/Westshore RFC (Trois Rivieres, QC)
15. Julianne Zussman, McGill / Castaway Wanderers (Montreal, QC)
16. Jane Kirby, Guelph / Highland Fergus Rugby Club (Brampton, ON)
17. Brittany Kassil, Guelph / Guelph Redcoats (Guelph, ON)
18. Olivia DeMerchant, StFX / Woodstock Wildmen/Castaway Wanderers (Mapledale, NB)
19. Kayla Mack, Saskatchewan / Saskatoon Wild Oats (Saskatoon, SK)
20. Cindy Nelles, McMaster / Belleville Bulldogs (Belleville, ON)
21. Lori Josephson, Western / Aurora Barbarians (Beaverton, ON)
22. Andrea Burk, Acadia / Capilano RFC (North Vancouver, BC)
23. Anais Holly, Montreal Carabins / Town of Mt. Royal RFC (Montreal, QC)
Coaching and Support Staff:
Head coach — Francois Ratier
Assistant Coach — Shaun Allen
Scrum Coach — Gary Dukelow
Technical Support — Colette McAuley
Manager — Nicole Crowley
Medical — Nicole Ainsworth
Strength & Conditioning — Jamie McCartney
Analyst – James Kent
