ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's rugby team heads north of the border to take on Trinity Western.
 
FIXTURE INFORMATION
Friday, February 14
6:00 p.m.
Vs Trinity Western
Langley, B.C.
 
QUOTABLE
"Another opportunity for us to continue to evolve our game both collectively and individually this week against a well-coached and organized Trinity Western side," CWU Head Coach Todd Thornley said.   "It's great to have a new varsity program across the border who will challenge us in all areas of the game. We continue to monitor our student-athletes training and game loads so we have trusted a playing group of fresh combinations to put out a performance we can be proud of Friday night."
 
SCOUTING TRINITY WESTERN
The Spartans are 4-1 on the season.  They have won their last three fixtures, including their latest match against Western Washington University.  Trinity Western took down the Vikings 24-0.
 
Ethan Kelt scored two tries, while Daniel Clement and Caleb Gerth tallied one try apiece amidst a torrential downpour that was coupled with a wild wind. Keegan Marengo slotted one conversion for the Spartans, who picked up their first shutout of the year. 
 
The Spartans also took down the University of Oregon (41-19) and the University of Washington (36-31) as part of their winning streak. 
 
Ethan Bernardin leads the Spartans in total tries with five.  Clement has scored a trio of times, while Gerth, Marengo, Ethan Kelt, Sam Wegert, and Khyree Pool have all touched down twice.  Erik Niebuhr, Ben Graci, Josh Halladay, and Angel Torres have grounded the ball for a try once each.
 
The only loss for Trinity Western came against No. 4 Saint Mary's.  The Gaels upended the Spartans, 96-0.
 
It is the first season of the newly relaunched Spartans men's rugby program.  Trinity Western had a men's rugby program previously from 1988 to 2005.  Trinity Western Director of Rugby Andrew Evans was hired in January 2019 and tasked with rebuilding both the men's XV's and women's 7's programs.  Previously, Evans was the head strength and conditioning coach with Rugby Canada.  He is also a coach with the United Rugby Clue. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
Central Washington eclipsed the century mark against Gonzaga University, 110-3.
 
The Zags opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the early minutes, but it was all CWU from there.  John Dupree turned in a natural hat, recording three consecutive tries in the 48^th, 50^th, and 57^th minutes.  Cam Nelson also recorded a hat trick, scoring the final try of the first half and adding a pair of tries during the back end.