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SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE -- History repeated today for former All- American Williams Women's Soccer player turned international rugby star Kristi Kirshe '17 in the USA Women's Sevens opening contest in the Paris Olympics vs. Japan.
This time the venue was the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, France, a northern suburb of Paris. Japan opened up a 7-0 lead just over a minute into the contest, but that lead was quickly erased by the USA. Sarah Levy got the USA on the scoreboard with a try, but the conversion kick was missed and Japan led 7-5.
Kristi Kirshe then notched two consecutive tries and both conversions following her tries were successful boosting the USA to a 19-7 lead. The USA went on to claim a 36-7 win.
In her Olympics debut at the 2021 Tokyo Games Kirshe notched two tries in her first Olympic appearance.
In the second game of the day for the USA they squared off against Brazil. The USA took an early lead on a try by Alev Kelter, but the conversion failed and the USA led 5-0.
There was an Injury delay to attend to a Brazilian player with just under 2 minutes left in the first half and the ball less than 3 meters from a try for Brazil. Brazil tallied the try, but they too missed the conversion and the score was level at 5.
The USA answered Brazil's try with an almost the entire length of the field run by Sammy Sullivan. The conversion was successful this time and the USA led at the half 12-5.
In the second half Illona Maher scored a try for the USA on a long run with just under three minutes remaining in the game, but again the conversion was unsuccessful. The USA lead was now 12 points, 17-5. Alex Sedrick added one more try for the USA and the USA defeated Brazil 24-5, as the final conversion attempt was successful.
The USA will close out group play tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM EST versus host France.
