Women's Rugby | 10/24/2015 5:29:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 24) – The Central Washington University women's rugby team scored eight trys en route to a 40-17 win over No. 4 Brigham Young University Saturday morning, aided by three trys from sophomore Mele Halahuni.

Halahuni wasted no time getting the No. 2 Wildcats on the board. The fullback caught an offload pass from Jennifer Johnson down the left side of the field and rushed her way into the try zone for a quick five points.

"We moved the ball quickly on attack and were able to recognize space," Head coach Mel Denham said. "We also worked hard on support and had opportunities to keep the ball alive."

Angela Ve'evalu punched the ball in minutes later on a forward jam from a Central line out on BYU's 5-meter line. The mass of Central players, along with Ve'evalu, drove the Cougar line into the try zone to give the Wildcats a 10-0 lead.

Cassidy Meyers struck for a try in the 18^th minute. After multiple forward attacks from the Wildcats, Asinate Serevi caught a swing pass and sent one more pass to Meyers who finished the possession. Meyers stepped her way past two BYU defenders to touch down in the try zone and inflate the Wildcat lead to 15-0.

The Wildcat defense jump-started an easy try for Mckenzie Pusch. After Suliana Tausinga jumped a BYU pass, she offloaded to Leah Ingold who then found Pusch alone and with space. The freshman wing found a corner and burned the BYU defense for a 50-meter run and score to give the Wildcats a commanding 20-5 lead.

"We spent a lot of time on defense this past week working on an effective launch which worked well today," Denham said. "Like last time, we knew we'd have to shut down their 12 who is a strong and skilled player."

BYU found a try late in the first half. The Cougars found space on the right flank and got the Wildcats in a 2-on-1 outside as Jennie Lewis snuck in and touched down for the first points for the visitors.

The Wildcats went into the break with a 20-5 lead.

Halahuni struck again in the opening act of the second half for her second try. Meyers followed suit with her second try of the game shortly after. Meyers received a pass at midfield and zigzagged her way through multiple defenders on her way to the try zone.

Halahuni capped of her big day late in the second half with her third try of the match.

"We are very grateful to have hosted BYU up here at home," Denham said. "We look forward to seeing them in March down in Utah."

The Wildcats will be back in action, Sunday (Oct. 25) as they host Western Washington University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.