Women's Rugby | 11/20/2016 2:58:00 PM

WEST POINT, N.Y. (Nov. 20) – After battling through the semi-final of the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association National Championship, the No. 1 Central Washington University women's rugby team fell in the final to Quinnipiac University.
 
"Tough match against a strong Quinnipiac side," CWU Head Coach Mel Denham said.  "We dominated possession in the first half, but couldn't hold on to possession long enough in the second half to create scoring opportunities.  Rosalind Pena had a great game at scrum half, maintaining the temp of our attack."
 
Earlier in the 2016 season, the Wildcats defeated Quinnipiac in a tight contest, 19-12, in Ellensburg.  Central reached the finals by defeating AIC 62-19.  Quinnipiac reached the final by eliminating Army, 65-8.
 
Both offenses were in high gear for the National Championship, but the Wildcats got things started in the 12^th minute.  Yana Manoa recorded her first try for an early 5-0 lead.
 
Suiluana A'au added to the Wildcats lead with a try in the 17^th minute.  Ashlee Byrge added a conversion for a 12-0 lead.
 
Quinnipiac responded with three straight tries, grabbing a 17-12 lead.
 
Asinate Serevi leveled the score with a try in the 35^th minute, but Quinnipiac responded with a try in the 42^nd minute and regained the lead 24-17.
 
A'au found her way over the try line for the second time in the 50^th minute. Byrge's conversion tied the game again, 24-24.
 
Quinnipiac found their way into try four times from the 57^th minute on, sealing the victory 46-24.