ELLENSBURG, Wash. - On a brisk Saturday afternoon, the #2 Central Washington University men's rugby team held the #11 Arizona Wildcats scoreless, improving to an 8-1 record with a 17-0 victory.
 
The team celebrated their nine seniors following the win: Jonah Auvaa, Nickolis Haviland, Gordon Smilanich, Marques Fuala'au, Alexander Cleary, Rhys Jones, Noah Wright, Mitchell Hirose, and Albert O'Shannessey.
 
INSIDE THE FIXTURE:

• Final: CWU 17, Arizona 0
• Location: Tomlinson Stadium | Elllensburg, Wash.

QUOTING HEAD COACH TODD THORNLEY:

• "Credit to Arizona, they put is under a ton of pressure today and we weren't accurate enough in attack to negate that pressure. We have had two weeks in a row with a lack of accuracy in attack so this feedback is so valuable as we head into the post season. Overall, I am so proud of our team's effort so far in the regular season and look forward to seeing what we can do in the postseason."

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• CWU kicked off the scoring in the 12th minute thanks to a Calvin Liulamaga try, giving the team an early 5-0 lead.
• In the 21st minute, Mitchell Hirose intercepted an Arizona pass and turned on the afterburners, outpacing the Arizona defenders as he scored a try. Oliver Cline made the conversion and CWU led 12-0.
• Just a few minutes before halftime, Campbell Robb added five more points on the scoreboard for the Crimson and Black. A quick passing play from Liulamaga to Hirose to Robb juked out the Arizona back line. CWU extended the lead to 17-0 going into the break.
• In the second half, Arizona kicked it up a notch, forcing CWU on their heels. Some key defensive stops on CWU's try line, including a pair of outstanding tackles from Marques Fuala'au, forced Arizona to come up shorthanded.
• Neither team scored in the second half, and CWU came out on top 17-0.