WEST POINT, N.Y.- The No. 2-ranked Central Washington University women's rugby team picked up a 51-13 decision against No. 5 United States Military Academy Friday night at the Anderson Rugby Complex.
 
The Wildcats improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in NIRA play, while Army dropped to 2-4-1 in NIRA play.
 
"It was a good outing tonight," CWU interim head coach Trevor Richards said."We certainly weren't perfect and there are definitely some areas that need improvement but overall I am happy with our performance. Our continuity has improved, we were ferocious at the contact point, and we had a great balance on the score sheet between the backs and forwards, including one of our two new players who took the pitch for the first time."
 
CWU held the lead for the entirety of the match. The Wildcats recorded their first try in the third minute, followed by a successful conversion by Emma Leonard. Central Washington continued to punish the Black Knights' defense for the remainder of the half, leading 34-10 at the break.
 
The second half featured three more tries by the Wildcats to capture the match victory, 51-13.
 
"Army fought hard the whole match and we have a lot of respect for them," Richards said. "They're a classy program and their tenacity is matched by their warmth and hospitality. They are certainly an embodiment of this great sport."
 
Sophomores Michel Navarro and Suiluana A'au led CWU with two tries apiece. A total of seven different Wildcats tallied tries in the match including: Bianca Ortiz-Pallen, Ashley Rolsma, Kayla Postula, Britanie Martinez and Samantha Pinson.
 
Senior Emma Leonard handled the majority of Central's conversion attempts, capitalizing on three against the Black Knights. 
 
"Tonight we will enjoy our victory but it's back to business tomorrow," Richards explained. "We've got some bruised bodies that need to recover while the coaching staff analyzes film and makes some adjustments in anticipation of another battle royal with Quinnipiac on Sunday. No doubt it'll be a tense match."
 
The Wildcats will face NIRA rival No. 3 Quinnipiac University this Sunday at the Quinnipiac Rugby Field in Hamden, Conn. at 11:00 a.m.
 
SCORING SUMMARY VS ARMY
03:00: Try - CWU; Conversion Good
12:00: Try - CWU
15:00: Try - Army
24:00: Try - CWU
26:00: Try - CWU; Conversion Good
31:00: Try - CWU
33:00: Try - Army
39:00: Try - CWU
HALFTIME SCORE: CWU 34, ARMY 10
46:00: Try - CWU
57:00: Try - CWU; Conversion Good
63:00: Penalty Kick - Army 
70:00: Try - CWU
FINAL SCORE: CENTRAL WASHINGTON 51, ARMY 13
 
-CWU-