ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The No. 4 Central Washington University men's rugby team fell to No. 1 Lindenwood University, 29-12.
 
"Fair play to Lindenwood," CWU Head Coach Todd Thornley said. "They are exactly what we expected from an exceptionally well coached team. Dominant at set-piece, polished territory game, and some great skill execution under pressure. With all that being said, I am proud of our effort and the physicality we displayed given we only had three and a half weeks of contact training. This game was exactly what we needed and now our challenge is to learn and move forward onto some tough games coming up."
 
In the first two minutes, the Lions found the try line. The opening kick went deep into Wildcat territory, but a turnover saw the Lions take over in CWU territory. After a strong defensive showing from the Crimson and Black with their backs against the try line, Lindenwood finally punched through for the game's first try.
 
Central's first look at Lindenwood's try line came in the 10^th minute. A scrum just outside the five-meter line led to a Wildcat knock-on, relieving the pressure for the Lions. In the 15^th minute, the Wildcats threatened again. The Crimson and Black won a lineout and drove forward, earning every meter. Again, however, the Lions' defense held and forced a scrum with the feed to Lindenwood. A strong push in the scrum gave the Lions possession and lifted the pressure.
 
Lindenwood struck again in the 22^nd minute. The Lions utilized the full width of the pitch, reversing play across the field, before diving over for the try. The conversion from the sideline made it 14-0 Lindenwood.
 
Central's defense found itself against the try line again in the 31^st minute. The 'Cats held the line and warded off the Lions attack until an off-load out wide for a 19-0 lead.
 
The 37^th minute saw the Wildcats driving towards the try line once again. Central worked its way out of a maul and drove wide, inching forward as they went. Ivan Pula found his way over the try line, but it was called back due to an obstruction play. The Lions were denied a try in the 39^th minute, the officials ruling a Lion had played the ball out of a ruck offside.
 
Two minutes into the second half, the Lions received a five-meter scrum. After the push, the ball popped loose and was dived on by the Wildcats. Alexander Cleary forced a line break, but a quick turnover gave Lindenwood possession again. The Lions quick capitalized for a 24-0 lead.
 
A lineout in the 51^st minute was reeled in off a tipped ball by Noah Wright, who drove to the Lions' five-meter line. The Cat's continued to surge forward, searching for a hole in the Lions' defense. Again, the Lions were able to stall Central's offense.
 
Central was denied another try at the end of the 71^st minute. After pounding away at the Lions, a rabble of players went over the try line but the refree ruled the try was held up. A high tackle from Lindenwood gave the Wildcats a tap-and-go, allowing Nikolas Haviland an opportunity to ground the ball for a try. Lewis Hollidge tacked on the conversion, bringing the score to 24-7 in favor of Lindenwood.
 
The Lions added another try in the 76^th minute, extending their lead to 29-7. Alex Mackenzie notched a try in the fixture's 83^rd minute, plunging over the try line to make it 29-12.
 
"We are just getting started," Thornley added. "I'm excited to see how quickly we can grow from this experience."
 
Central Washington is on the road next weekend as they travel to Provo, Utah for a fixture with Brigham Young University.