History was made in Paris as the United States women's rugby sevens team shocked Australia on Tuesday to win the bronze medal.
It's the USA's first medal ever in the sport.
"Women's sports matters. And I think it's amazing that rugby gets to be one of the sports and one of the actual games that gets to be recognized," said Simsbury junior Meilin Lemis.
The newly minted bronze winning U.S. team is inspiring to young rugby athletes.
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"Finally, like people are actually talking about it," said Simsbury High School senior Lily Richards.
The atheletes are on Simsbury High School's women's rugby team -- the defending Division 2 state champion.
They say rugby isn't offered at every high school in Connecticut, with only 13 teams for girls among two divisions. But, their hope is that more attention to the sport, thanks to the bronze-winning women's team, will get more girls involved.
Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics
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"A lot of promoting the game and like getting more coaches," said Richards.
A big inspiration for these athletes is Quinnipiac alum Ilona Maher, the team's breakout star, who they say is getting more and more girls considering playing at that higher level.
"I think she's amazing. Like, I love watching her play," said Richards.
"I do want to try and go more into rugby in my college career. And Maher is a great star to look up to."
It's a game -- with an impact -- fans will be talking about for a long time.
Hallie Fowler is a Quinnipiac student in Paris watching the Games.
"Within five seconds, the whole the whole game changed. It was really incredible to watch," said Fowler.
She watched the historic rugby match -- an experience she says was chilling, especially as she supported Maher.
"Our small school is out there making a big difference," said Fowler. "It felt really cool to be like 'alright, she came from Quinnipiac, what could other athletes be doing?'"
