After capturing the Guangzhou Zeng Cheng International Women’s Invitational Sevens Tournament title with the USA Women Eagles, senior center Lauren Doyle returned to the U.S. with added enthusiasm.

“As a player it has boosted my confidence,” Doyle said. “I feel like I can go into Dubai and go hard the first game I am in. I was a little hesitant in China because I had the ‘first game jitters.’”

The team began the tourney with group play and swept all three teams their group. In the first match, the Eagle Sevens defeated Singapore by a score of 59-0, with Doyle scoring her first international try in the process.

The remaining two matches went in favor of the Eagles as well, with wins over the Philippines and China, 52-0 and 36-5, respectively.

Doyle and the national team then took on Thailand in the quarterfinals, dominating on defense en route to a 45-0 victory.

After taking out Kazakhstan in the semi-finals 35-7, the table was set for a match against South Africa in the final.

The South African National Team displayed the same prowess as the United States in the tourney, outscoring opponents 143-24.

In the final, the Eagles jumped out to a 12-0 lead, and then took the 12-point advantage into the half. After adding 12 more points in the second half, the Eagles defeated South Africa 24-0 with Doyle tallying a try in the contest.

“(South Africa) was fast,” Doyle said.” “There are some big tackles that get made here on the International level; it is a whole different aura as a team.”

Doyle scored in every start she made, totaling four trys for the tournament.

Following the win in China, Doyle returned to the United States and flew into Charleston in time to compete for Eastern that weekend. In Saturday’s game she scored three tries, giving her 11 on the collegiate season.

Up next for Doyle and the national team is the beginning of the Women’s Sevens World Series (WSWS) in Dubai. The tournament will begin on Nov. 29 and will conclude Dec. 1.

Nicholas Ruffolo can be reached at 581-2812 or nfruffolo@eiu.edu.