Life University Athletics

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Life University knocked off Central Washington University 22-15, second-ranked in the NIRA, on Saturday.
 
"This was a phenomenal game, with both teams gutting it out to the end," Head Coach Rosalind Chou said. "We made the trip to get a top-level, competitive match and were not disappointed. CWU had incredible defense and such strong runners, it really tested our mettle."
 
Four different Running Eagles scored tries in the victory. Alex Sedrick, Lekia Haynes, Darian Lovelace and Taylor Makowski all found the try zone during the match.
 
"Freshman Sydnee Cervinski had to step in at flyhalf 15 minutes into the match, and did an incredible job keeping her composure," said Chou. "The team supported her with their blue heads, and they maintained the integrity of our structures. N'Keiah Butler was a force on both attack and defense putting pressure on CWU on both sides of the ball." 
 
Central Washington got things started early as they scored at 9' to take a 5-0 lead. Life answered back with a try of their own as Sedrick found pay dirt on an intercepted pass. Madison Ohmann made the conversion kick to take a 7-5 lead. Haynes and Lovelace extended the lead with two tries in quick succession at 26' and 28', respectively. CWU cut the lead to one possession at 37', but the Running Eagles took a 17-10 lead into the half.
 
The second half was much more of a defensive struggle than the opening period. CWU pulled within two points of the lead with a try right out of the half at 43'. Makowski was able to put the game away with a final try at 78', and gave Life U a 22-17 win.

"The trip has been everything we'd hoped, and we look forward to getting the squad some rest when we return to Georgia," said Chou. "We have some really competitive matches coming up for JV and will be focusing on them improving each week and working into the fold."
 
The Running Eagles will be back in action on Oct. 7 as they return home to host Nashville Women's Rugby at Lupo Family Field.