QU Women's Rugby Falls to Central Washington, 33-12

Sunday, October 18

Hamden, Conn.

12:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

Central Washington

QU Women's Rugby Falls to Central Washington, 33-12

10/18/2015 2:51:00 PM | Women's Rugby

Ilona Maher and Flora Poole Score Tries in Loss

HAMDEN, Conn. – The Quinnipiac women's rugby team saw their four game winning streak come to an end on Sunday afternoon as the Bobcats fell to the Central Washington Wildcats, 33-12, at the QU Rugby Field. Sophomore inside center Ilona Maher (Burlington, Vermont) and fly half Flora Poole (Christchurch, New Zealand) each recorded a try for Quinnipiac.

With the loss, the Bobcats dropped to 5-2 on the year while the Wildcats improved to 5-0 after going undefeated on the weekend with wins over Norwich on Saturday and QU on Sunday. Quinnipiac fell to 0-2 all-time against CWU after suffering a 22-17 defeat in Ellensburg last season.

In the first half, neither team was able to break through for much offense until the Wildcats found the try zone with about 13 minutes remaining in the half. Freshman Hannah Lewandowski pushed through the Bobcat defense for the first try of the day and a successful conversion brought the score to 7-0 in favor of the Wildcats.

With only five minutes left before the break, Central Washington secured their second try, running through the middle for a short two yard score. Another kick through the uprights extended the Wildcat lead to 14-0. Central Washington threatened to score a third try of the half just minutes later, but the Bobcats ripped the ball out of the hands of the Wildcat player as she approached the try zone.

Quinnipiac had a couple chances in their offensive area, but were held scoreless in the first half thanks to a stifling CWU defense. Junior fullback Maggie Myles recorded a run over twenty, but the Bobcats ultimately lost the ball over to the opposition.

Quinnipiac cut the Wildcat advantage to 14-5 just seven minutes into the second half when Maher scored her tenth try of the season to put the Bobcats on the board. After recording a run over twenty just a minute earlier, Quinnipiac lost the ball, but was able to quickly get it back in the hands of their inside center. With her second consecutive run over twenty, Maher broke multiple tackles and stiff armed her way through the defense for the score.

Central Washington answered with two tries in the following 14 minutes after the Bobcat score. The Wildcats scored off a short run out of the scrum and then six minutes later off a tap and go from just a couple yards out.

Down 26-5, Poole stepped up with a huge 15 yard run, pushing over Wildcat defenders and falling into the scoring area for the try.

The Bobcats were held scoreless the rest of the way while Central Washington scored a final try with about three and half minutes remaining. A Wildcat intercepted the Bobcats' pass and took it about 60 yards before pitching the ball to Mckenzie Pusch for the try that brought the score to 33-12.

Quinnipiac is back in action next week on Thursday, October 22 when they visit American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Game time is set for 6 p.m. from Ronald J. Abdow Field.