ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University women's rugby team fell to the Seattle Saracens, 43-20.
 
"At the end of the day I'm still proud of them," CWU Head Coach Trevor Richards said.  "There were some really good individual performances, but our continuity was lacking.  It's still early days, it's the first game of the winter season.  We have a lot to do and a lot to focus in on, still very proud, but the continuity was lacking."
 
The Saracens offense went to work quickly, grounding their first try under the uprights in the third minute.  Wildcat alumni Leah Ingold knocked through the conversion for a 7-0 advantage.  They punched it in again eight minutes later for a 14-0 advantage.
 
Central Washington answered back in the 16^th minute.  A try from the wing made it 14-5.  
 
A penalty by the Wildcats in the 20^th minute in front of the uprights gave way to a penalty goal from Ingold, extending the Saracens lead to 17-5.  Both offenses went quiet until the 37^th minute.  Seattle found the try zone again, taking a 24-5 lead.  The Saracens added another try before the half for a 31-5 lead after 40 minutes of play.
 
Alycia Namosimalua plowed through the Saracens line and grounded the ball for a try just two minutes into the second stanza, cutting Seattle's lead to 31-10.
 
Seattle found their way in for a try again in the 43^rd and 52^nd minutes for a 38-10 lead.  Central's Suiliana Sooialo A'au found the try line in the 57^th minute and a 38-15 score line.
 
The Saracens added a try from former Wildcat Jennifer Johnson in the 67^th minute from the wing, but did not knock the conversion through.  Central's final try came in the 72^nd minute when Bianca Ortiz-Pallen fought her way in.
 
"It's a strange feeling when they [Leah and Jenny] turn up in the building," Richards added.  "It's always great to see them and, like I told the Saracens coaches, we are going to keep sending players their way as we don't want their rugby careers to stop."
 
Central Washington is back in action on February 22 as the Wildcats travel to Lindenwood.  Kick-off is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.