ELLENSBURG, Wash. - After spending the first month of the season on the road, the Central Washington University men's rugby team is ready for their first home challenges of the season. The Wildcats will take on the Trinity Western Spartans and the Western Washington Vikings this weekend.
 
FIXTURE INFORMATION:
Date: Friday, Feb. 17
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. PST
Opponent: Trinity Western
Location: Tomlinson Stadium | Ellensburg, Wash.
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Date: Saturday, Feb. 18
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. PST
Opponent: Western Washington
Location: Tomlinson Stadium | Ellensburg, Wash.
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QUOTING HEAD COACH TODD THORNLEY:
"Finally we get to play at home against two quality opponents. Our challenge is to build into the week and prepare well so we can put together a performance we are proud of in front of our home support. We look forward to getting away from the travel factor and finishing off the first half of the season well."
 
PREVIEWING THE MATCHUPS:
Back in the second week of the season, the Wildcats traveled to Western Washington and Trinity Western for matchups on the same day with everyone available getting valuable playing time. The Crimson and Black won both matches, starting with a 38-15 win over WWU and followed up with a 61-0 victory at TWU.
 
The Vikings beat the University of Washington 46-12 in their lone matchup since CWU and WWU collided last month. As for the Spartans, they've gone 1-1 in BC Rugby Division 1 play recently, including a 24-28 loss to the Kelowna Crows and a 22-20 win over Abbotsford RFC.
 
The Wildcats (5-0) will look to grow from the momentum garnered in last week's thriller at Saint Mary's in which a last-second try from Mitchell Hirose propelled the 'Cats to a 29-26 victory.