Kelter returns to scoring column, leads Team USA in France

Eagle River’s Alev Kelter cashed in on a pair of conversions and finished with four points to help the Team USA women’s 7s rugby team beat Fiji 28-7 in the fifth-place game of the Paris Cup in France.

The Eagles finished 4-2 in the two-day tournament and salvaged a solid showing with back-to-back victories following a tough 26-24 loss to Canada in the quarterfinals to start the day’s knockout round.

Kelter, of Chugiak High fame, scored 23 of Team USA’s 135 points at the Paris Cup.

The French tournament was the final stop on a five-event tour in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, during which the Eagles amassed 56 points to finish fifth among the 16 countries, one spot better than last year.

Australia was the top point scorer, followed by New Zealand, France and Canada.

Kelter, of Chugiak High fame, led Team USA in scoring in the series and finished fourth overall with 168 points.

She had her 11-game scoring streak snapped on Day 1 of the Paris Cup but bounced back to score in all three games on Day 2.

Team USA will end the season at the World Cup next month in San Francisco, California. The Eagles will open tournament play against China on July 20.