The U.S. women's team is coming off the country's first medal in rugby sevens.
In a thrilling encounter, the US won the bronze medal over Australia 14-12. Alex Cedric's try and game-winning conversion in the final minutes of the game changed the course of the match.
Cedric's goal turned the US from defeat to victory, and the team's outstanding performance earned the US the bronze medal. Speaking about the goal, Alex Cedric said, "I'm not a kicker by any means, I'm not even second, third or fourth for that position. But I was the one on the field to take it, and luckily I got it,"
After the win, the US fans and players erupted in cheers. They ran onto the field, and Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." rang out loud in the stadium. On the field, Ilona Maher celebrated the victory and thanked the fans. Speaking on the win, ilona Maher said "We wanted to show what rugby can be in America," Maher said after the medal ceremony. "We often say in rugby that we want to pass the jersey. You're passing the jersey, it's not yours it's the next person's... I think today the jersey has really gotten better so that other young girls want to grow up and play rugby, want to be professional, want to live the life that we live where we travel the world and go to the Olympics."
The US team lost to defending Olympic champions New Zealand 24-12 in the semi-finals. This then set up a gold medal match between New Zealand and Canada. In the end, New Zealand won the gold medal and Canada won the silver medal.