Canadian women have little trouble dispatching the U.S. in Pacific Four Series opener

MADRID — Fullback Sabrina Poulin scored two of Canada’s eight tries in a 5src-17 rugby romp over the U.S. in the opening match of the Pacific Four Series on Saturday.

Emily Tuttosi, Fancy Bermudez, Sarah-Maude Lachance, Tyson Beukeboom, Emma Taylor and Gillian Boag also scored tries for fourth-ranked Canada, which led 26-3 at the break on a sunny, breezy afternoon at Estadio Nacional de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Captain Sophie de Goede added five conversions.

De Goede was a force to be reckoned with from her No. 8 position, opening up the U.S. defence with powerful runs that opened up space for the supporting backs.

Beukeboom, a veteran lock, earned cap No. 58 for Canada, second only to the retired Gillian Florence’s 66 caps.

Hope Rogers and Lotte Clapp scored tries for the seventh-ranked Americans, who had no answer for Canada’s free-flowing offence despite a brief surge early in the second half. Gabby Cantorna kicked a penalty and a conversion while McKenzie Hawkins added a conversion.

“We took our foot off the gas a bit and let them back in the game in the second half but then again we responded,” said de Goede. “I think for a team that’s only been together two weeks, I’m pretty proud of that. Hopefully we can keep building off it and keep the consistency over