ELLENSBURG, Wash.—Central Washington's Olivia Calton scored three trys on Saturday as the Wildcats downed Seattle Rugby Club, 34-5, in Central's 2022 home opener at Tomlinson Stadium.
 
Calton was one of one of four Wildcats to score a try, but the only one to score more than once.
 
"A big thanks to Coach Kirk and the Seattle squad for making the trip over and putting together the match on short notice," said CWU head coach Matthew Ramirez. "They had us a bit frantic in the first 20 minutes just like the last game, but the team put together some quality rugby when it mattered. 
 
"We saw some good phases out there and started moving the point of contact to find space. The defense did well, too, to bend a few times but not break. Olivia Calton found her footing today on the edge with a hat trick. Emma McCabe really stepped up as well and got us go forward ball when we needed it."
 
The game featured a slow start over the first 15 minutes, with Seattle attempting and missing a pair of penalty kicks. The Wildcats finally broke through in the 15^th minute when Tessa Hann crossed the try line. Kai Brandt-Templeton's conversion was true, and the Wildcats led 7-0.
 
Central grew its elad in the 29^th minute when Calton struck for the first time. The conversion failed, but the Wildcats had a 12-0 advantage.
 
Seattle got on the board shortly before halftime, but the Wildcats kept coming. Calton tallied another try in the 44^th minute for a 17-5 lead, and Keia Mae Sagopolu made it 22-5 with a try in the 53^rd minute.
 
Calton capped her hat trick with a try in the 76^th minute. The successful conversion made it 29-5.
 
Brandt-Templeton closed out the scoring with a try just before time expired for the final score of 34-5.
 
The Wildcats next host Lethbridge, Noon, Saturday, March 19 at Tomlinson Stadium.