LANGLEY, B.C. - The Central Washington University men's rugby team picked up their first loss of the season Saturday evening to a physical Trinity Western team that held the Wildcats scoreless in the second half. The Crimson and Black fell by a final score of 10-14.
 
INSIDE THE FIXTURE:

• Final: CWU 10, TWU 14
• Location: Willoughby Community Park Stadium | Langley, B.C.

QUOTING HEAD COACH TODD THORNLEY:

• "Can't win any game of rugby with 25 turnovers. A very valuable lesson for our team to learn as we push forward into our D1A season. Every game is a challenge for us, and we will figure out how to rise to that challenge. Congrats to TWU, a good rivalry is building and we can't wait to welcome them back to our place at the end of the season."

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Spartans earned the first points of the fixture with a successful penalty kick in the 14th minute, putting the Wildcats down 0-3.
• In the 24th minute, Samson Dwyer scored a try for the Wildcats to take their first lead of the game at 5-3.
• Ahead of the halftime in the 40th minute, Trinity Western converted another penalty pick. With little time left on the clock, the Crimson and Black drove down the field and Benji Ward earned another try for CWU. The Wildcats led at the break 10-6.
• Directly out of halftime, TWU scored their first try of the matchup to retake the lead, pushing the Wildcats back to 10-11.
• From there, the second half was relatively quiet. The Spartans eventually widened the lead in the 72nd minute with their third successful penalty kick of the match.
• On Trinity Western's try line in the 74th minute, the Wildcats picked up a knock on call, scrapping the offensive opportunity.
• The Spartans continued to play clinical defense and executed well to the final whistle. The Wildcats lost by a final score of 10-14.

UP NEXT:

• The Wildcats (2-1) will continue their road stretch at the #8 University of Arizona Wildcats next Saturday, Feb. 10. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at William David Sitton Field in Tucson, Ariz.