ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington women's rugby team will make their season debut this Saturday when they host the Life University Running Eagles (1-0) at Tomlinson Stadium at noon.
The Wildcats finished last year 11-7, highlighted by victories over Navy, BYU, and two victories over Penn State, all on the road. CWU also participated in the Fools Gold 7's Tournament in the spring, sweeping their competition by a combined score of 163-12.
CWU couldn't quite get past Life however, going 0-3 against the Running Eagles last season. Life first defeated CWU here in Ellensburg to wrap up the regular season by a 19-15 score before bouncing the Wildcats out of the first round of the USA Rugby D1 Elite Playoffs by a 22-19 score in Annapolis, Maryland. The two squads met once again at the CRAA USA Rugby College Women's Premier 7's National Championship in Houston, Texas with Life taking the 24-12 decision.
"We're always looking for a national championship," CWU Head Women's Rugby Coach Matt Ramirez said. "That's the goal for this season as it is every season. It is awesome though because as we add competition to this D1 Elite League, we get to see some extremely talented players that only make our team strive to be better. It's been a lot of fun to see some of these teams development, but with the added competition, this season should be wide-open for anyone's taking."
Despite losing the Wildcats first-ever MA Sorensen winner and USA Rugby Women's Eagles national team member
Keia Mae Sagapolu, the Wildcats return a plethora of talent.
Multiple Wildcats kept busy in the offseason highlighted by All-American and Sorensen Award nominee
Tessa Hann earning a spot on both the USA Rugby Women's Falcons and the USA Rugby Women's U-23 team. Hann traveled up north with the Women's Falcons for some matches against Canadian teams, then traveled to Brazil with the U-23 team for a pair of matches against Brazil and Colombia before traveling to the U-23 team to Massachusetts for a pair of matches against Canada.
Also returning will be
Jessica Postle,
Winnie Namosimalua, and
Kerena Tinoisamoa to help lead the Wildcats this season. Postle participated with the Canadian U-20 team while Namosimalua and Tinoisamoa each were named to the USA U-20 tea. All three players met in Ottawa, Canada with their respective teams for matches in tandem with the Women's Pacific Four Series that Sagapolu participated with the USA Women's Eagles team.
"Winnie has made such a big jump this offseason," Ramirez said. "I'm very excited to see her go. Jessica was a FORCE with the U20s in Canada. She got to compete with a super high level of talent that'll only make her better, while still bringing that infectious energy that she's always had, as well as the will to do anything for her team to be successful."
Also returning are All-Americans
Mariah Tuitasi and
Jennilyn Aquino to build off of stellar performances a season ago.
Ramirez added transfer
Juliane Biarnes, a fly half from Dax, France who previously played at Southern Utah. The Wildcats also welcomed freshmen
Linda Chavira,
Macey Dunn,
Alexandria Ma'ae,
Sieni Mesake,
Trinitee Robertson,
Jah Taele,
Merary Ulloa-Uribe, and Ellensburg natives
Everly Pedersen and
Vivianne Wright as well as former CWU Women's Basketball player
Shaylee Coulter-Fa'amafu who made the switch over to the pitch this season.
When asked about some other 'Cats fans should be on the watch for this season, Ramirez had this to say,
"
Kai Brandt-Templeton has set herself up for a solid senior season. Her skill level is starting to shine the more she gets involved in the various aspects of the game. I'm very excited to see her attacking more, which she's already excelling at.
Zonaye Tupuola is coming back into her own after an injury, and she's more than ready and excited to take that step forward this season. All her progress has been great to see.
Alexandria Ma'ae is a hard-hitting go-getter that seems to only ever go forward. She never seems to have a bad day with her mood being contagious which is beyond awesome to see a freshman. Lastly,
Philomena Namosimalua needs a big shoutout after a position change to flanker. She's been embracing every moment and that'll help her this season grow in her new position and be better than ever."
ABOUT LIFE
The Running Eagles come into the contest 1-0 after defeating Penn State 71-13 on the road. Eilidh MacGilvray and Hattie Greenwood each recorded one try apiece. Sarah Barsoum recorded two tries while Adrionna Duncan earned three and Matilda Kocaj finished the match with four tries. Angelina Mason was successful on eight of her 11 attempted conversions.
The Running Eagles are the reigning CRAA USA Rugby College Women's Premier 7's National Champions after sweeping the competition in Houston last May. They defeated the Lindenwood Lionesses 17-14 in a hard-fought championship.
