ANNAPOLIS, Md. - In another close affair with the Life University Running Eagles, the Central Washington University women's rugby team fell by a final score of 19-22 in the D1 Elite Semifinal on Saturday, ending the fall season for the Wildcats.
 
"That was a heck of a semifinal. Again, a close game that gave us opportunities to and chances to win but we just couldn't put that last phase together," Head Coach Matthew Ramirez said. "The game aside, I can look back and be proud of so many things that happened this Fall season. The team is young and to see them come together in such a small amount of time was unreal."
 
The Running Eagles put together a strong first half as the Wildcats fell behind by a couple of tries entering the break.
 
"We were down 0-10 at half, and we had another honest chat. They all knew what we needed to do, but the fact they took this feedback as a challenge, fronted up and turned in a second half to be proud of and set the tone for the next season," Coach Ramirez said.
 
The Wildcats responded, putting 19 points on the board in the second half, but unfortunately the Running Eagles outlasted the comeback from the 'Cats. Malia Ili, Madison Hadden and Tessa Hann scored tries for CWU while Kai Brandt-Templeton added a pair of conversions.
 
"We'll miss our Seniors, but they know they made a mark on the program as it continues to grow in the right direction. Time to heal up, keep on recruiting and prepare for 7s in the spring," Coach Ramirez said.