ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The #5 Central Washington University Wildcats Men's Rugby team fought hard but ultimately fell short 26-27 to #4 Saint Mary's College Gaels Saturday morning. Despite two yellow cards and being down a man for almost the entirety of the first half, the 'Cats stayed tough on defense keeping it close till the end.    
 
INSIDE THE FIXTURE
Final: CWU 26 - SMC 27
Location: Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH TODD THORNLEY 
"Fine margins in big moments against a good team, St Mary's nailed more than us today and deserve the win especially since we were dominated at the collision at times today. We hung tough in the first half with two yellow cards and were able to find a way to put some points on the board in the second half so I am proud of the effort, but we will have to evolve and execute better heading into next week"  
 
 HOW IT HAPPENED

• Saint Mary's got on the board first at the 25:45 mark when Mario Storti was successful on a Penalty Kick to put SMC up 3-0. 
• At the 28:43 mark Losefa Toiaivao extended SMC's lead with a try, and an unsuccessful conversion would make it 8-0.
• Saint Mary's would add another try at 32:30 by #13 Erich Storti, the missed conversion would keep it at 13-0 in favor of SMC. 
• Coming out of the break the 'Cats were hungry and quickly got their first try by Drew Farrington at the 42:30 minute. The successful conversion by Jac Tregoning puts CWU 7-13.
• Answering back, Saint Mary's would convert another try at the 50:00 min mark by Dominic Besag, and a successful conversion put SMC up 20-7. 
• After recovering their kickoff, Campbell Robb would convert the try at 52:45. The successful conversion would bring the Wildcats back 14-20.
• The 'Cats would snag their first lead of the match at 57:30 when Jac Tregoning would successfully get the try and conversion putting CWU up 21-20. 
• Saint Mary's would take the lead back at 63:00 in the matchup. Kaipono Kayoshi's try and a successful conversion made it 27-21 SMC. 
• The Wildcats would answer back with a try by Isaiah Simera-Saldana at 68:40, but the missed conversion would leave the 'Cats trailing 26-27. 

 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats will stay home for the second of seven consecutive home games with their matchup vs #6 BYU set for next Saturday March 2nd at 12:00 pm.