USA Eagles beat Uruguay Los Teros 29-23 at game two of the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) in San Antonio’s Toyota Field February 4.
Both teams played a sloppy first half with an exchange in penalty kicks to begin the match at 3-3.
Uruguay won a 5-meter line out, pushed the ball into touch, and Los Teros’ fly half, German Albanell’s successful conversion solidified their lead at 10-3.
Eagle Olympian, left wing, Zachary Test found a break away, but was brought down mid field. The ball was kicked toward the sideline, but recovered by Uruguay, and Todd Clever found himself receiving a yellow card for a high tackle.
USA’s fly half, Benjamin Cima’s two penalty kicks brought the Eagles a point behind Los Teros at 10-9.
Eagle inside center, AJ MacGinty recovered the ball from a 22-meter line out and passed it to supporting Eagle outside center, Bryce Campbell for his first career test try – bringing USA into the lead at 16-10, but Uruguay snagged another penalty kick to end the first half at 16-13 Eagles’ lead.
Test, possibly suffered a concussion, and was removed from the field shortly before half time. His status for the remainder of the ARC is unknown.
Los Teros’ 8-man, Alejandro Nieto regained the Uruguay lead by diving into touch, which set Uruguay for a successful conversion for 20-16.
Uruguay’s outside center, Juan Manuel Cat found his way to the sin bin by being offside when laying out USA scrum half, Nate Augspurger during a quick tap at the 22-meter line.
Eagle right wing, Blaine Scully intercepted a cross field kick, and popped the ball to Campbell who ran the ball unopposed for a beautiful try – only to have it overturned by USA’s hooker sub, James Hilterbrand’s penalty.
Albanell kicked for Uruguay to bring them up in points, but McGinty responded with his own kicks to bring the game to 29-23 Eagle lead.
Uruguay fought valiantly at the USA 15-meter line during the last few minutes of the game, but the Eagles won on time expired after a penalty call.
Eagles earn four points for their win, and Los Teros earn one point for their loss, by being within 7 points of the victor, at the first ARC 2017 game on US soil.
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