For the first time in its history, the USA women’s rugby sevens have won a medal at the Olympics — and they did so in remarkable, walk-off fashion to earn bronze in a 14-12 triumph over Australia.
Getting possession trailing 12-7 with one minute to go, American Alex Sedrick broke a tackle off a scrum deep inside USA territory — roughly 92 yards away from the try zone — and sprinted across the line as time expired to tie the match.
Sedrick, a first-time Olympian, then converted the two-point conversion that gave the Americans a memorable 14-12 victory to take its first-ever medal at the Olympic Games.
A FINISH YOU HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE! 😱
ALEX SEDRICK LEADS TEAM USA TO THE FIRST-EVER OLYMPIC RUGBY SEVENS MEDAL FOR THE UNITED STATES ON THE FINAL PLAY OF THE GAME! 🥉 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/1FMu9SWxDo
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 30, 2024
The match was tied at seven apiece at halftime, but a pair of turnovers by US star Ilona Maher and Lauren Dyole set up the Australians to punch in the go-ahead score with just 1:12 to play through a Maddison Levi try.
Her two-point conversion, however, was pulled wide, to give the Americans a glimmer of hope.
On the ensuing restart kick, a pair of passes ultimately found Sendrick in the middle of the pitch to set the scene for what will be a historic run.
Crossing the try line in the middle of the field between the goal posts set up a simple game-winning kick.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Americans lost to New Zealand in the semifinals, 24-12, forcing them to be relegated to the bronze-medal game. New Zealand ultimately defeated Canada for the gold medal.
