Canadian women's rugby 7s team suffers back-to-back losses at Vancouver event

The Canadian women find their backs against the wall after losing their opening two matches Friday at the HSBC Canada Sevens tournament at BC Place Stadium.

The women lost 17-12 to the United States in the afternoon after dropping a 28-7 decision to Ireland in the morning.

The Canadian men were trounced 35-5 by Ireland in the morning.

Bianca Farella of Montreal, and Alysha Corrigan of Charlottetown, P.E.I., scored tries for Canada against the U.S. Chloe Daniels of Sutton, Ont., added a convert.

"When you play the U.S. it's a battle," said Farella. "It was a really tight game. It could have been anyone's game."

The women trailed 5-0 at halftime. Canada was strong defensively but managed to cross centre field only once.

Farella scored on a pretty cutback early in the second half to give Canada a 7-5 lead. The Americans countered with two tries in a minute.

Farella is playing in her 44th sevens tournament, tying her with Australia's Sharni Williams for most on the all-time list.

"It's a huge milestone for me," she said. "It's cool to be so far along in my career and still making milestones."

WATCH | Women's World Rugby Sevens Series Vancouver — Canada vs. United States:

Canada (0-2) needs a win Saturday against Brazil (0-2) to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals. Ireland and the U.S. lead Pool C at 2-0.

The Canadian men came into the tournament sitting 14th in the overall in World Rugby Sevens Series standings and are fighting to avoid relegation.

The men controlled the ball early against Ireland but couldn't advance up the field. Ireland built a 21-0 half-time lead by scoring three tires in under four minutes.

Kalin Sager scored Canada's lone try in the second half.

"We had trouble holding onto the