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US rugby star Ilona Maher celebrates her first start for Bristol Bears with a try

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US rugby star Ilona Maher celebrates her first start for Bristol Bears with a try
Sport

Sport

US rugby star Ilona Maher celebrates her first start for Bristol Bears with a try

2025-01-13 07:22 Last Updated At:07:31

EXETER, England (AP) — U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher celebrated her first start for the Bristol Bears by powering over for a try in a 41-31 victory at the Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.

Maher, the most followed rugby player on social media, ran over half the field at Sandy Park and bumped off two tackles in a 55th-minute try made possible by her pace and power.

It was the winger's second Premiership Women’s Rugby match in England.

“My teammates did the work to put me through and I had to get through a couple of defenders. I thought ‘Oh, this is sevens!’” Maher told TNT Sports. “I don’t go around them, always go through ... Now it’s going to be figuring out when I have three people in front of me, how do I get through them?"

The 28-year-old Maher helped lead the U.S. to the bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Games,

The Vermont native is returning to the 15-a-side game in hopes of boosting her chances of making the U.S. team for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. She can play at wing or center.

Maher has more than 8 million followers combined on Instagram and TikTok. She also was a runner-up on the “Dancing With The Stars” TV show.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher during the Premiership Women's Rugby match between Bristol Bears and Gloucester Hartpury at Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, Sunday Jan. 5, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher during the Premiership Women's Rugby match between Bristol Bears and Gloucester Hartpury at Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, Sunday Jan. 5, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

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Man City's Ederson sets assist record for goalkeepers in Premier League

2025-02-15 23:47 Last Updated At:23:51

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City's Ederson set a Premier League record for goalkeepers Saturday against Newcastle by providing his sixth assist in the competition.

Ederson's long ball up the pitch in the 19th minute fell to Omar Marmoush, who calmly lobbed Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka for the opening goal at the Etihad Stadium.

The Brazil international surpassed former Leeds, Tottenham and Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who delivered five assists in the Premier League.

It was Ederson's third assist of this season, which according to stats provider Opta is also a Premier League record in a single campaign.

Marmoush completed a first-half hat trick for City to put the hosts 3-0 up by the 33rd minute.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Manchester City's Omar Marmoush controls the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Manchester City's Omar Marmoush controls the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Manchester City's goalkeeper Ederson punches the ball away during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Manchester City's goalkeeper Ederson punches the ball away during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

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