TUSCON, Ariz. (May 25) – The Central Washington University women's rugby team competed in three fixtures on opening day of the USA Rugby College 7's National Championships. They fell 17-5 against Harvard, 22-20 against Life and 21-14 against Davenport.
Harvard jumped out to a quick and early 10-0 lead before Central was able to get on the board. The Wildcats got on the board with a try from Suiluana Sooialo A'au. Central wasn't able to add anything else to the score column and dropped their first game of the tournament by score of 17-5.
"We seemed to be a little shell shocked and came out of the gates slower than a race horse with wooden legs," CWU Head Coach Trevor Richards said. ""We struggled to keep our shape and gave up some easy tries."
The Wildcats played Life University in game two and got their first try in the fourth minute. Mae Sagapolu was the first Wildcat to score in the game. Sui A'au got her second try of the day in the seventh minute of the game to cut the Eagle's lead to just seven. Michel Navarro cut the lead to just two with a try in the eighth minute.
Leah Marie Ingold gave the Wildcats their first lead of the day in the 10th minute of the game with her first try. The Eagles were able to add another try in the 12th minute to re-take the lead and took the win.
"Against a good Life team we played our best game of the day," Richards said. "We moved the ball well and played hard for each other. Unfortunately a last minute try against us gave Life the win."
In game three, the Wildcats started out hot and jumped to a quick lead. Navarro started the scoring in the fourth minute of the game followed by a Spencer Boldt conversion.
Navarro added another try two minutes later which was followed by another conversion from Boldt. Unfortunately, Central wasn't able to add anything else on the day and ended up dropping the match by score of 21-14.
"Disappointed doesn't quite sum up my feelings about today," Coach Richards said. "Our last game against Davenport started well enough with a 12 point lead. Shortly afterwards we appeared to mentally put on the cruise control, climb in the backseat of complacency, and watch our well earned lead slip past us into a distant memory. Tomorrow is a new day though. It's up to the players now to see how this tournament ends. This team is capable of so much, they just need to be more consistent."
