ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington Wildcat women's rugby team (0-1) fell to the Life Running Eagles (2-0) 41-5 Saturday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium to open the 2023-24 season.  
 
"The fitter team definitely won that one," CWU Head Women's Rugby Coach Matthew Ramirez said. "Good on Life for being so prepared. Two and a half weeks of training is a big ask against a team like that."
 
The Running Eagles struck first partway through the first half scoring a try, but weren't able to succeed in the conversion putting LU up 5-0. Winnie Namosimalua responded by powering to the Wildcats only try of the day, but unfortunately the conversion was unsuccessful for CWU to take the lead. The Running Eagles would convert one more try, but once again weren't able to make the conversion and entered halftime with a 10-5 lead. 
 
The Wildcats found their way close to a successful try multiple times, in the second half, but were unfortunately stopped by the stout Life defense. LU would continue their offensive barrage on CWU capping the game off with a final second try and conversion to see the Running Eagles win 41-5. 
 
"We saw moments of what we had installed, but it needs to be constant," Ramirez said. "Now we know where we are and what we need to work on. It's early in the season, it's time to bust down and get to work."