ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The No. 6 Central Washington University men's rugby team welcomes the University of Arizona to Tomlinson Stadium.
FIXTURE INFORMATION
Saturday, March 26
12:00 PM
v Arizona
Tomlinson Stadium
Ellensburg, WA
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QUOTABLE
"In the last two years we have some great battles versus Arizona and I expect Saturday to be no different," CWU Head Coach Todd Thornley said. "When we started our shortened season we had two clear objectives- give thanks to all our graduating seniors for their constant hard work and develop depth across our roster. Saturday presents another opportunity to chase those objectives whilst also chasing the desired outcome. Our young playing group this week needs the experience and our seniors deserve a great performance from us. I cannot speak more highly of our seniors and their efforts they have put in to create a great environment here at CWU."
SCOUTING ARIZONA
Arizona is coming an impressive win over Grad Canyon University, 63-20.
Ryan Thompson scored the opening try for the Wildcats, ground the ball for try in the opening 15 minutes. Jon Rogers made it 28-3 just before half time, intercepting a GCU pass and traversing over 80 meters for the try.
Daniel Kagan and EJ Freeman both scored tries out the gate in the second half, finding the try zone within the first 15 minutes of the second stanza.
This weekend in Ellensburg, Rogers will once again lead the backs for the Wildcats as the Vice Captain. Riley Kerr will serve as the number eight and as Arizona's Captain.
The full lineup for Arizona is below:
1- Zach Barker
2- Mustafa Khaled
3- Harry Bluck
4- Billy Esposito
5- James Rivers
6- Daniel Hagan
7- EJ Freeman
8- Riley Kerr (C)
9- Brendon Paulsen
10- Robert Figley
11- George Niethammer
12- Jacob Broselle
13- Kyle Fulton
14- Ryan Thompson
15- Jon Rogers (VC)
Finishers
16- Eric Cervantes
17- Oscar Elvin
18- Seamus McCarthy
19- Jack Brown
20- Tyler Heer
21- Maxime Cathala
22- Lucas Agasse
23- Abe Turpen
LAST TIME OUT
Central Washington battled to a 27-27 draw against Brigham Young University in their last outing.
The Wildcats put themselves ahead in just the third minute. Central kicked to touch, gaining territory deep in the Cougars' end. Following a lineout, Calvin Liulamaga plunged over the tryline for the contest's first try. Lewis Hollidge knocked the conversion through the uprights, giving CWU a 7-0 lead.
Central added its second try in the 13th minute. Another lineout in BYU territory gave Jack Wendling a shot at the try line and he barreled his way through for a 12-0 lead.
It only took a few minutes before the 'Cats struck again. Noah Wright bounded over the try line in the 16th minute, pushing Central's advantage to 17-0. The Cougars struck in the 18th minute, capitalizing off a lineout to bring the score to 17-5.
The Wildcats took a one-point, 20-19 lead into halftime.
Seven minutes into the second stanza, the Cougars took their first lead of the fixture. A lineout to the Cougars led to driving maul, in which BYU was able to ground the ball for a try and a 24-20 edge. Brigham Young added a penalty kick in the 63rd minute, extending their lead to 27-20.
Central Washington found the equalizer in the 68th minute of play. The Wildcats took possession after the Cougars relieved pressure in their own end with a kick. Wendling found his way through BYU's defense for the second time for a try, before Hollidge notched the conversion to level the score at 27-27.
SPECTATORS PROHIBITED
At this time, spectators are prohibited at all Central Washington University home athletic events per Washington State, Kittitas County Health Board, and the GNAC. Schedules are subject to change at any time pending decisions from the health board and other local and regional authorities.
