Men's Rugby | 5/28/2016 6:00:00 PM

CARY, NC (May 28) -- The Central Washington University men's rugby team advanced to the quarterfinals of the USA rugby Collegiate 7's National Championship with a 19-0 win over New England College, but fell to American International College 0-15 to end its hopes of a national title.
 
With the loss in the quarterfinals the Wildcats competed in the plate semifinals where they faced Lindenwood, losing to the 2015 champions 12-21, ending the Wildcats trip to Cary, NC.
 
19-0 win over New England College
 
Cameron Marek broke the line and found Ian Wright in the 3^rd minute to give CWU a 7-0 lead.
 
After a very competitive four minutes of play, Tanner Barnes snuck through the defense for the Wildcats second try of the first half.
 
With a 12-0 second half lead, Corey Nuti breaks the NEC line for a long try and a Wright conversion puts CWU up 19-0.
 
15-0 loss to American International College – Cup Quarterfinal
 
After a yellow card forced the Wildcats to play down a player, AIC took full advantage scoring twice before CWU got back to full strength to take a 10-0 first half lead.
 
AIC continued to put pressure on the Wildcats scoring minutes into the second half to go up 15-0.  The Wildcats were unable to gain momentum and fell in the quarterfinals 0-15.
 
 
12-21 loss to Lindenwood – Plate Semi Final
 
A slow paced methodical first half for the Wildcats produced a late try by Vili Toluta'u to give CWU a 7-0 lead.
 
Lindenwood scored early in the second half to tie the match at 7-7.
 
Marek got to show off his great speed high stepping past defenders for a try and regaining the lead for CUW at 12-7.
 
Linden wood responded with another long try and took a 14-12 lead.  After another CWU penalty, Lindenwood took advantage of the down Wildcats to add to its lead with a try as time expired, winning the match 21-12.