The U.S. Men's National Sevens Team continued to dominate the competition today in the qualifying matches of the International Sevens Tournament in Singapore.

After winning last week's Sevens Tournament in Bangkok, the U.S. Men's first cup championship out of the America's since 2000, Head Coach Al Caravelli continues to be vocal about his high expectations for this young sevens squad.

"We're looking to improve on how we played last week," Caravelli said. "This is a great opportunity for the team to show what they are capable of, as the competition should be stiffer than last week. It also is a great place for us to build on-field team chemistry for the rest of the season."

The competition in the qualifying rounds didn't seem to phase the Eagles, as they won their first three matches of the day and will walk into the tournament's cup brackets tomorrow No. 1 in their pool.

In the first match, the U.S. defeated the national side Papua New Guinea Rookies, winning 26-12 after two tries by Jason Pye (University of Utah) and the conversion by Jone Naqica (Denver Barbos) gave the U.S. a comfortable lead early out. The Eagles led 12-5 at halftime, and only widened their lead in the second half with two additional tries by Ron Rosser (Cal Poly SLO), and two more conversions by Naqica.

In the next match, the U.S. crushed Karumi, a Japanese sevens club, winning 66-0. With first half tries by Andrew McNaughton (Olympic Club); Jeff Hullinger, two by Takudzwa Ngwenya (University Dallas Texas), and Naqica, who also made all five conversions, the U.S. had a very comfortable 35-0 halftime lead. In the second half, Naqica, Dallen Stanford (Oxy Tigers), Marcus Respes (NYAC 7's & Philly White Marsh 15's), Kevin Mongold (Sciotto Valley), and P.J. Komongnan (Washington RFC) all added tries for the Eagles, while Stanford also contributed three conversions and the U.S. moved forward with great momentum for their last match of the day against the Sydney powerhouse Randwick.

Randwick, who won last week's Sydney Sevens and were the champions of this Singapore tournament in 1993, which was their last appearance in the Singapore Sevens, was the Eagles' final opponent in the qualifying round.

The Eagles didn't hesitate, though, as they came out early to lead Randwick 19-0 in the first half. Tries by Pye, Mongold, Rosser and Stanford, plus three conversions by Naqica gave the U.S. the momentum it needed to stick its course, and finish with a score of 26-7.

The U.S. continues play on Sunday in the cup quarterfinals.

USA 26, Papua New Guinea 12 (halftime U.S. 12, PNG 5)

Tries: Pye 2, Rosser 2

Conversions: Naqica 3

Starting lineup: McNaughton, Mongold (Hullinger at 12:05), Naqica, Osborne (Komongnan at 11:30) for Osborne, Pye (Ngwenya @ half), Rosser, Stanford.

USA 66, Karumi 0 (halftime US 35, Karumi 0)

Tries: Ngwenya, McNaughton, Naqica 2, Ngwenya, Hullinger, Stanford, Respes, Mongold, Komongnan.

Conversion: Naqica 5, Stanford 3.

Starting lineup McNaughton (Rosser @ 11:00), Konongnan, Naqica (Mongold at 11:45), Respes, Stanford, Hullinger, Ngwenya (Pye @ 9:30).

US, 26, Randwick 7 (Halftime U.S. 19, Randwick 0)

Tries: Pye, Mongold, Rosser, Stanford

Conversions: Naqica 3

Lineup: McNaughton, Mongold, Naqica, Osborne (Komongnan @ 12), Pye (Ngwenya @ half) Rosser (Respes @ 12); Stanford.