HAMDEN, Conn.- The Central Washington University fought hard but ultimately fell to defending national champions No. 2 Quinnipiac University in the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association semifinal match, 43-26.  
 
"Losing is always tough but when you give up a decent lead in a semi-final, it's a bitter pill to swallow.," CWU interim head coach Trevor Richards said. "Credit to Quinnipiac for their comeback, but we didn't help ourselves. Our foot was on the gas for a solid 60 minutes but as we started picking up injuries, we began to slip off of tackles and the momentum totally swung away from us."
 
"Even though this isn't how we wanted to end the season, I can't help but be proud of my players," Richards continued. "They've grown so much as people in a remarkably short time. We've become a family and built a cultural framework that will transcend this season. This team is in a better place than it was a few months ago; now we have to continue that momentum forward so that we can start our 7s season off on the right foot."
 
The Wildcats came out of the gate strong, scoring the first try of the match after a breakaway run by senior Ashley Rolsma in the opening minutes.
 
Quinnipiac controlled the pace of play for the next few minutes until senior Emma Leonard found space and carried the ball into QU territory. With their back against the wall, the Bobcat defense proved to be stingy. QU thwarted several CWU attempts to breakthrough and into try. Central Washington suffered a knock on inside QU's 22-meter line to give the Bobcats possession.
 
The Wildcats bounced back to reclaim possession, but were once again withheld from reaching the try zone. CWU looked to pierce the try line but the referee signaled that the Wildcat ball carrier was held up, resulting in an attacking scrum. Central Washington reclaimed possession and offloaded to sophomore center Suiluana A'au, who sidestepped one defender and leaped into try. Leonard extended CWU's lead to 12-0 after a successful conversion.
 
QU capitalized on an errant bounce to register their first try of the match, followed by successful conversion.
 
The Wildcats had a chance to score right before the half after a knock on by the Bobcats inside their 22-meter line. The Wildcats unfortunately suffered a penalty right outside the try zone, allowing Quinnipiac to gain possession. The Bobcats kicked the ball out of bounds to enter halftime down 12-7.
 
The opening minutes of the second half featured a try by QU's Mikah Maples. The Bobcats' conversion was successful to give them their first lead of the match, 14-12.
 
The Wildcats marched down inside QU's 22-meter line on their ensuing possession. CWU pressured the QU defense for several grueling minutes until Hannah Fallon grabbed a pick and go and grinded her way into try. Leonard notched her second conversion of the match to help CWU reclaim the lead, 19-14.
 
CWU kept up the pressure in the following possession. Senior Jennifer Johnson tallied her sole try of the match after bullying her way through several would-be Quinnipiac tacklers. Leonard's conversion was successful once again to extend CWU's advantage to 26-14.
 
Quinnipiac countered with a try to lessen the Wildcat advantage to 26-19. The following possession, Maples traveled nearly the length of the field to notch the score 26-26.
 
The Bobcats claimed their second lead of the match, 31-26, after senior center Ilona Maher reached the try zone.
 
The Wildcats were penalized for a high tackle in the following possession, allowing Quinnipiac to convert on a penalty kick.
 
With time dwindling, Central Washington hurried to kickoff to the Bobcats but proved to be out of position. QU caught the kick and ran it back into try to seal the victory, 39-26.
 
"I want to thank my brilliant assistant coach, Cassidy Meyers, and our incredible athletic trainer, Rachael Blank, for their tireless work all season.," Richards said. "They deserve a lot of credit for their behind the scenes work; we wouldn't be what we are without them. I also want to thank the CWU administration for their assistance this year. Lastly, I want to thank the CWU men's coach, Todd Thornley, for his guidance throughout this huge learning experience."
 
-CWU-