ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University Women's Rugby Team (2-1) suffered their first defeat of the season in a hard-fought 52-24 game against the defending D1A Champions the Life University Running Eagles.
 
Faine Etuini put CWU on the board first at the 11 minutes into the match after the 'Cats maneuvered their way down the field to make it 5-0. Life responded just under eight minutes later to tie things up. The Running Eagles took their first lead three minutes later and added another try and conversion six minutes after that to make it 17-5 Life. With just over four and a half minutes left in the first half Zariyah Danielson punched in a try and with Jessica Postle adding the conversion made it 17-12 Life. The Running Eagles added another try before the halftime buzzer to take the 24-12 lead.
 
The Wildcats came out of the gates running to open the second half, finding the tryline just under eight minutes into the half thanks to Maleena Mero. It turned out to be a penalty try as well so the crimson and black cut the Running Eagle lead to 24-19.  Life found their first score of the second half around the 26:30 mark, finding the try line and making the conversion to make it 31-19 Life. The Running Eagles struck three more times, but the 'Cats finished the game strong, as Lilly Thomas mustered her way to the tryline to make it a 52-24 final.
 
The 'Cats will have a break and restart their season in the spring when they host the Pacific Northwest U23 Team on Saturday, February 15 on Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium here in Ellensburg.