QU Women's Rugby Sees Win Streak Snapped At Central Washington

Saturday, October 15

Ellensburg, Wash. / Wildcat Rugby Pitch

2:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

Central Washington

QU Women's Rugby Sees Win Streak Snapped At Central Washington

10/15/2016 5:19:00 PM | Women's Rugby

By: QU Sports Information

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The defending national champion Quinnipiac women's rugby team saw its 11-match win streak come to an end as it fell in a defensive battle to Central Washington 19-12 on Saturday afternoon.

The Bobcats (5-1 NIRA) had not lost since a 33-12 home loss to Central Washington last season, before going on to defeat Army in the national championship. Central Washington, which improves to 3-0 in the series with Quinnipiac, sees its record move to 6-2 on the year, including 4-0 in the NIRA after opening the year 2-2 on a Canadian trip.

Junior scrum half Mason Johnson (Olympia, Wash. - pictured) had a try and an assist for Quinnipiac, which scored the first points of the game when junior center Flora Poole (Christchurch, New Zealand) scored off Johnson's feed 12 minutes into the contest.

However, Central Washington then scored 19 straight points to end the half, picking up their third try in the final minutes to take the momentum going into the locker room with a 19-5 lead.

Earlier this season, Quinnipiac trailed 19-17 at the half at Army and responded by shutting out the Black Knights in the second half to come back for a 32-19 win. Once again, the Bobcats bore down defensively in the second half, and shut the Wildcats out, holding them to just 19 for the match. This time, though, Central Washington was able to match Quinnipiac defensively and hold on for the win.

Johnson's try early in the second half closed the gap to 19-12 with 35 minutes left, after the Bobcats added a conversion from senior Madison Gegeckas (Downington, Pa.). However, the Wildcats were able to prevent the Bobcats from getting into the try zone the rest of the way.

"We went out early and put points on the board in some less than desirable rugby conditions," said Head Coach Becky Carlson. "This QU squad is the toughest and strongest to date and the few mistakes we made today, Central capitalized on them. I can say with 100% confidence and no hesitation, there isn't a game in women's college rugby in this country that could match the athleticism and determination of the 30 student-athletes out on the field today."

Quinnipiac will be back in action next weekend, when it travels to face Castelton University in Vermont, a first-year varsity program, for a 12 p.m. contest.