Women's Rugby | 5/9/2015 1:31:00 PM

ATLANTA, Ga. (May 9) -- The Central Washington University women's rugby team came up short of a title, losing a tough match to Penn State University 61-7 in the USA Rugby Division I National Championship held at Kennesaw State University Saturday afternoon.
 
This was the Wildcats only collegiate loss during their 15's season, while the Nittany Lions claimed their 10^th National title.
 
Penn State push the pace from kickoff scoring in the 3^rd minute off a lineout and after a missed conversion, the Nittany Lions took a 5-0 lead.
 
The Wildcats gained some momentum and started to drive the field, but a miss handled pass by CWU was picked up by Penn State who had an open run to the try zone and went up 12-0 in the 11^th minute.
 
The Nittany Lions struck again gaining possession off a scrum and drove in from 40-meters out with CWU's Cassidy Meyers nearly stripping the ball out of the ball carrier's hands, but was just a second late as Penn State went ahead 17-0 in the 18^th minute.
 
The Nittany Lions continued to maintain possession and capitalize on Wildcat miscues ending the first half with five tries and a 27-0 lead.
 
The physical play of Penn State continued after halftime, scoring a try five minutes into the half, extending its lead to 32-0.
 
Freshman Jenny Johnson got Central Washington on the board in the 71^st minute pushing through the try zone after the Wildcats stole a scrum from Penn State.  After a Katerina Long conversion the Wildcats trailed 51-7.
 
Penn State was able to muscle in two more tries in the next nine-minutes of play and finished the contests with the final 61-7 advantage.
 
Up next the women's rugby team will compete in the USA Rugby Collegiate 7's National Championship Tournament in Denver, Colo. starting May 23.