Women's Rugby | 11/18/2016 3:21:00 PM

WEST POINT, N.Y. (Nov. 18) – The Central Washington University women's rugby team punched their ticket to the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association National Championship with a 62-19 victory over American International College.
 
"Good win with things we know we can improve for Sunday," CWU Head Coach Mel Denham said afterward.
 
Kathlena Truong opened the scoring in the first minute, giving the Wildcats a 5-0 lead.  Ashlee Byrge's conversion gave Central a 7-0 lead.
 
The 11^th minute saw Central Washington tally again.  Yana Manoa recorded her first of two tries and Byrge knocked down the conversion for a 14-0 advantage.
 
The Wildcats found their way over the try line again in the 14^th minute.  Suliuana A'au grounded the ball for her lone try of the day, while Byrge again added the conversion.
 
Michel Navarro gave the Wildcats a 26-0 lead with her first try in the 18^th minute.
 
"Michel was evasive on attack, swerving around defenders all over the field," Denham added.  "Kat had speed to burn on the wing and some great runs."
 
The Yellow Jackets found the scoreboard in the 30^th minute.  Kayla Clark scored and a conversion from Sarah Coucci, cut the Wildcats' lead to 26-7.
 
In the 38^th minute Cassidy Meyers went over the try line and kicked the conversion for a 33-7 lead. 
 
Carrie Vaillancourt added another try two minutes later and Byrge added the conversion for a 40-7 lead.
 
Navarro added her second try in the 48^th minute, while Manoa tacked on another in the 55^th. 
 
Asinate Serevi found the score sheet twice, in under 180 seconds, advancing the score to 62-7.
 
The Yellow Jackets scored twice in the waning minutes, but Central captured a 62-19 victory.
 
"All in all I am most proud of the team effort we put in," Denham noted.
 
The Wildcats will take on the winner of Army and Qunnipiaco on Sunday (Nov. 20) at 11 a.m. PST.