SAINT-DENIS, France — Backed up to their own goal line, and down to one final, desperate attempt at a medal, the Americans were doing everything they could think of to get a last-second score.
That was when the ball ended up in Alex Sedrick’s hands.
When the 26-year-old rugby sevens player caught a pass with eight seconds remaining until full-time Tuesday night, she had one mission: get across Australia’s goal line and put up five game-tying points before the referee’s whistle ended the match.
She did just that, completing a coast-to-coast breakaway try as time expired, and then hammering home the game-winning conversion kick to give the United States an improbable 14-12 win over Australia, and a bronze medal.
It’s the team’s first Olympics medal.
HISTORYThe first ever USA medal in rugby sevens. Congrats to this incredible team pic.twitter.com/UhuJtX6aB3
“I mean, I’ll give my first-born child to ‘Spiff’ [Sedrick],” American player Ilona Maher said. “It was crazy because I was like, ‘No, no way this is happening.’ And then for her to have to make the kick, as well — and she’s not our kicker.”
During warmups, Sedrick was practicing kicking because coaches told her that the way the team’s substitutions might break during the game, she may be relied on to kick at some point.
She shanked both pregame attempts.
“I just put it out of my mind,” Sedrick said. “Whatever happens is gonna happen and maybe I won’t even have to take a kick.”
On her scoring play, Sedrick took on two rapid-fire tackle attempts from Australian players, dropping them both in quick succession. After sidestepping the first would-be tackler, she bowled over the second. Then, all that stood between her and the Australian in-goal was the bright green of Stade de France’s pitch.
“I mean, I’m just trying to channel my big girl, Ilona Maher, trying to just be like her to get downfield,” Sedrick said, referencing the viral clip of Maher leveling an opponent on a try earlier this week.
Maher said she was in disbelief seeing Sedrick dive across the line as she tried catching up from well downfield.
“I couldn’t even believe it,” Maher said. “I’m just so impressed by her, and she’s truly been an MVP for me for this whole season. And people need to take notice of her.”
Although Australian players valiantly chased after her, Sedrick went untouched, diving in for the five-point try that tied the game at 12-12 before her conversion.
THE MOST CLUTCH TRY IN @USARugby HISTORY Spiff Sedrick wins it for Team USA in the final seconds!#ParisOlympicspic.twitter.com/lml8fLVmsn
The added absurdity to Sedrick having to take the conversion kick? The fact she didn’t even know it was going to be necessary. While sprinting hard for the goal line, she thought her try would be the go-ahead score — not the game-tying points.
During the medal presentation later in the evening, many of the American players could be seen tearing up as they were given their medals. Maher was among them, crying hard as the bronze was placed around her neck.
“Very surreal,” Maher said. “But for me, I was also thinking about all those people who aren’t getting the medal. All of our teammates who don’t get this, but they are such a part of our program, as well. The alternates, the coaches, everybody. The people who didn’t get selected for the team. So it all made me very sad.”
In Tuesday’s later match, New Zealand beat Canada to earn gold.
About two hours after the Americans’ bronze-medal win, USA Rugby announced that Michele Kang, an investor who owns three international women’s soccer clubs including the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, was donating $4 million to the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team.
The gift will be paid out over the next four years as a promise to help the team grow the sport and provide resources for coaches and players in advance of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Today, Michele Kang announced a $4 million gift to the USA Women’s Rugby program. Following their historic success at the Paris Olympics, this gift will go toward the growth of women’s rugby, supporting athletes and coaches in the National program.https://t.co/xH0cvhQBi2
In a statement, Kang said: “2024 has been a banner year for women’s sports with record-breaking attendance and viewership, and women’s rugby is no exception.
“This Eagles team, led by players like Ilona Mahor and co-captains Lauren Doyle and Naya Tapper, has captivated millions of new fans, bringing unprecedented attention to the sport. I am so happy to support these outstanding athletes to realize their dream in capturing the gold in Los Angeles in 2028. That work starts now.”