ving to hold off a frantic comeback attempt to reach the semifinals.

TORONTO -- Kieran Crowley wanted a better performance from Canada in Saturdays crucial Rugby World Cup qualifier against the United States. Stan Smith Offerta . The Canadian head coach didnt get it, but his team will still be heading to England in two years time. James Pritchard scored eight points as a sluggish Canada clinched a spot in the 2015 Rugby World Cup with a hard-fought 13-11 victory over the U.S. "It was ugly," Crowley said bluntly. "But it was a win." Jason Marshall also had a try for the Canadians, who took the two-match total-points qualifying series 40-20 after last weekends 27-9 victory over in Charleston, S.C. Despite the lopsided scoreline in the first leg, Crowley wasnt happy with Canadas showing and said in the leadup to Saturdays match at BMO Field that he expected more. But an American team that had its pride damaged in a disappointing home loss seven days earlier came out strong and outplayed Canada for long stretches, especially in the first half. Pritchard agreed with Crowleys assessment of Canadas outing. "We came out here wanting to make a statement showing how far weve come with Canadian rugby," said Pritchard, the countrys all-time leading scorer. "Today we got a win, we did our job, we qualified for the World Cup, but it was anything but pretty. "Its not too often we get to play these big games at a stadium like this. Wed been gearing it up for it so much this week that I think the occasion might have got to a few of us." Takudzwa Ngwenya had the only try for the Americans, while Chris Wyles added six points on two penalty kicks. The U.S. still has two cracks at making the tournament, including a two-match series with Uruguay. "Our backs were against the wall. We knew we had to come out and prove something to ourselves, to prove that we could play the game and we did," American head coach Mike Tolkin said. "We played with guts, we played with determination." The Canadians, who are ranked 14th in the world by the International Rugby Board, join 12 countries that have already qualified automatically for the World Cup in 2015 and will slot into Pool D alongside France, Ireland, Italy and another European qualifier. With the sights and sounds of the Canadian National Exhibition serving as Saturdays backdrop, the game between the North American rivals lacked flow for long stretches. Tied 8-8 at halftime, Wyles had a chance to put the Americans in front, but missed a penalty kick in the 47th minute The Canadians then grabbed the lead when Marshall finished off a good move by just getting the ball over the American line in the 60th minute, but Pritchard missed the conversion for just a five-point edge. Wyles cut Canadas advantage to two at 13-11 in the 67th minute with his second penalty kick of the afternoon and had a chance to give the Americans a late lead, but he missed a difficult penalty in the 79th minute from the left-hand side. "Its always a big battle against (the U.S.)," Canadian captain Aaron Carpenter said. "We know what theyre going to bring and they brought it today. I thought they were a little bit light last week in South Carolina. "Thats what we expected from them last week and we got it this week." The Canadians got off to a quick start in last Saturdays match south of the border but were hemmed in their own end early by a determined American team, which is ranked 18th in the world. The U.S. opened the scoring in the 14th minute after some sustained pressure paid off with a try down the left side from Ngwenya, who faked a pitch before gliding across the line and touching down for a 5-0 lead. But Wyles missed the conversion for an American team that came in already facing a huge deficit. Pritchard calmed Canadian nerves somewhat by getting his team on the board in the 21st minute with a penalty kick from centre field that split the uprights. The Australian-born fullback, who scored 12 points in the opening leg, then gave the home side the lead with a try two minutes later. Ciaran Hearn took a pass on the right before finding Pritchard, who wove his way into the American end untouched for an 8-5 lead before missing the conversion attempt. "Hes such an experienced player. Hes been around for so long," Crowley said of Pritchard. "Hell be the first to say he gets those points on the back of what the teams putting up." Wyles added a penalty kick on the final play of the first half to send the teams to the locker-room tied 8-8. "Tough victory," Carpenter said. "They came out with everything and we battled all 80 minutes and thankfully we stuck together long enough to pull out a victory. "Were just happy that weve qualified and get to go where we want." Notes: Canada and the U.S. met at the same stage of World Cup qualifying for the 2011 tournament, with the Americans scoring a 12-6 victory in the opening leg before falling 41-18 in the return match. The U.S. went on to beat Uruguay 27-22 and 27-6 in the next round of qualifying to reach New Zealand. ... Canada was missing veteran lock Jamie Cudmore, who suffered a hand injury in the first game against the U.S. Also out injured was hooker Ryan Hamilton (knee). ... Should the Americans suffer defeat to Uruguay in the next round of qualifying, they will have one final chance to make the World Cup via a repechage tournament. ... Canada now leads the all-time series against the U.S. by a count of 38-12-1. ... The U.S. has lost seven straight matches in 2013. ... The Webb Ellis Cup, which is awarded to the Rugby World Cup winner, was on hand at BMO Field. ... Canadas last game in Toronto -- a 40-14 loss to Ireland in June -- was watched by 20,396 fans, the largest-ever rugby crowd in this country. Attendance at Saturdays game was not announced. Stan Smith Italia . Next years tournament is also within sight for Bosnia-Herzegovina, which has never played in a World Cup, but Cristiano Ronaldo looks destined for the playoffs with Portugal after a night when the qualifying picture in the nine groups became much clearer. Scarpe Stan Smith Scontate . - Mathew Barzal scored 3:47 into overtime as the Seattle Thunderbirds downed the visiting Everett Silvertips 4-3 on Tuesday in Western Hockey League playoff action. http://www.stansmithscontate.it/ . Striker Dario Mandzukic scored the opener in the 22nd minute but was given a red card nine minutes later for a reckless tackle and left Croatia with 10 men for the remainder of the match.GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Virginia coach Tony Bennett keeps pushing his sixth-ranked Cavaliers for more in what is already the programs best season in more than three decades. Next up is the chance to do something that even Ralph Sampson couldnt do: Win an Atlantic Coast Conference tournament title. Anthony Gill hit two free throws with 8.5 seconds left to help Virginia hold off Pittsburgh 51-48 in Saturdays semifinals, sending the Cavaliers to their first championship game in 20 years. Virginia arrived in Greensboro with its first outright regular-season title since 1981 and only its second No. 1 seed. The Cavs have just one title: the 1976 championship led by tournament most valuable player Wally Walker. "It would be great to put another banner and have that to share with them," Bennett said. "Wally sent me a text: We want some company." The Cavaliers (27-6) didnt have an easy time putting themselves in position for it, letting an eight-point lead slip all the way to one in the final seconds. But Gill, who was shooting 63 per cent from the line, calmly made both free throws after James Robinsons hanging layup that had made it 49-48. Pitt had a chance to tie with 4 seconds left, but Justin Anderson tipped Robinsons 3-pointer to Gill with 0.5 seconds left. Joe Harris scored 12 points to lead the Cavaliers, who shot 47 per cent against the fifth-seeded Panthers (25-9) to earn their first trip to the final since losing to North Carolina in Charlotte in 1994. "Theres no better feeling, of course, but well celebrate later," Anderson said. "Were to a point where we have a chance to make a run, not just in the ACC but the NCAA tournament, and we have to ... continue to be humble. This team cherishes that and this team understands that and well be fine." Virginia, which has its best win total in 31 years, will face the North Carolina State-Duke winner Sunday. Lamar Patterson and Talib Zanna each scored 15 points to lead Pitt, which was in its first ACC tournament. The Panthers, who were going for their first appearance in a league tournament championship game since winning the Big East title in 2008, shot just 37 per cent. Stan Smith Uomo Saldi. The teams met only once this year, when Malcom Brogdon hit a 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in a 48-45 road win on Feb. 2. This one came down to another tight finish, though the Cavaliers kept the Panthers at arms distance for most of the final minutes and maintained a fragile hold on the game. After trailing by eight, Pitt closed to within 47-44 and got a good look for the tie on Josh Newkirks 3-point attempt with 1:45 left, but never could level the game. "Neither team really made that many mistakes," Robinson said. "Every mistake that we did make, they capitalized on." Pitt got as close as 49-48 when Robinson stripped Brogdon and drove for a hanging layup over Akil Mitchell -- hitting it through contact from Mitchell but with no whistle --with 10 seconds left to set up Gills big free throws. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon thought Robinson shouldve been going to the line to tie it, too. "What can you do?" Dixon said. "We just watched it. Everybody saw it. I cant comment on anything else besides that. I cant state the obvious." Mitchell didnt put up much of an argument, saying he was a little surprised there was no whistle. "I wanted to contest it as best as I could," he said. "I definitely didnt want to foul. But, you know, they let it go." Virginia led 26-24 at the break and used a strong shooting start to the second half to finally build a working margin. The Cavaliers took their biggest lead on Gills hook shot to make it 45-37 with 9:30 left. But the Cavaliers suddenly went cold, going 6 minutes without a point while the Panthers started inching back into the game. Pitt opened its first ACC tournament with a 29-point romp against Wake Forest in Thursdays first round. The Panthers then dominated No. 15 North Carolina for much of Fridays quarterfinals, building a 20-point lead before having to hold off a frantic comeback attempt to reach the semifinals. Pitt lasted the longest of the three new league members. Notre Dame was eliminated in the tournaments first-round opener Wednesday, while N.C. State upset No. 11 Syracuse in Friday nights quarterfinals. ' ' '