Women's Rugby | 5/28/2016 5:37:00 PM

CARY, NC (May 28) – The Central Washington University women's rugby team advanced to the quarterfinals of the USA Rugby Collegiate 7's National Championship, but fell to Stanford 19-21 after playing the final minutes with down two players.
 
After defeating Chico State 38-7 in their opening match, the Wildcats suffered back-to-back losses, the final a heart breaking match against Stanford where they led 19-7 before being handed two yellow cards and forced to play with just five players.
 
Both of the CWU losses came by just two points.
 
 
38-7 win over Chico State
 
Cassidy Meyers got the scoring started scoring up the left side of the defense to give the Wildcats a 5-0 lead in the 1^st minute.
 
A high tackle by Chico State on a try attempt by Valarie Toby led to an awarded goal for CWU, and a conversion by Meyers to put CWU up 12-0.
 
Nate Serevi got her hands on the ensuing kickoff and diced through the defense and off loaded to a supporting Meyers for another early try.  After the Meyers conversion the Wildcats led Chico State 19-0 at the half.
 
Mele Halahuni added to the CWU lead with a try early in the second half, and Meyers followed with her third try of the contest to give the Wildcats a big 31-0 advantage.
 
After a Chico State try with the Wildcats down a players, Halahuni goes three quarters of the pitch for a try, helping CWU to the final 38-7 lead.
 
5-7 loss to Lindenwood
 
McKenzie Pusch had two big break a ways early in the first half, but the Wildcats came out empty on each run.
 
In the stalemate contest, Lindenwood stole the ball from the Wildcats and took it the length of the pitch to take a 7-0 lead over CWU.
 
With a minute left Serevi hit Meyers with a behind-the-back pass to give CWU its lone score of the contests.  The Wildcats, falling 5-7, failed the conversion attempt.
 
19-21 loss to Stanford – Cup Quarterfinal
 
Tobin scored the opening score of the match going 70 meters for a try and a Leah Ingold conversion put CWU up 7-0.
 
A minute later Serevi spins off and jukes the Stanford defense for the Wildcats second try.  Meyers hits the tough angled conversion to put CWU up14-7.  Stanford scored right before the half to cut the Wildcats' advantage to 14-7.
 
Serevi continued to keep things going for the Wildcats forcing the defense to crash and hit Meyers cutting behind her for another try giving CWU a 19-7 second half lead.
 
The Wildcats went down two players due to yellow cards, one of the penalties awarded the Cardinal a try and after the conversion CWU led 19-14.
 
Playing with five players the Wildcats tried to keep control of the ball but Stanford made the most of its player advantage and scored and made the conversion to take a 21-19 lead with seconds left.  The Wildcats had one final attempt to score, but a forward pass ended their hopes of a title.
 
The Wildcats will compete in the Plate Semi Final tomorrow at 6:40 a.m.