On Saturday, Feb. 19, the Number 7 ranked CWU men’s rugby team (4-1) lost a tightly contested home match against Number 6 BYU (7-1). Despite windy conditions and playing down a man, BYU was able to pull ahead of CWU in the tightly contested match.

CWU controlled the play early on, but it was BYU who scored the game’s first try and took a 5-0 lead after missing the ensuing conversion kick.

BYU added to their lead midway through the first half with another try and a conversion to increase their lead to 12-0.

The Wildcats put their first points on the board in the 39th minute when senior center Jack Wendling pierced through the BYU defense to score a try. The following conversion was made by senior fly-half Lewis Hollidge to make the score 12-7.

Late in the first half, BYU was given a red card, a penalty which ejected one of the Cougars’ players from the game, giving CWU an advantage.

The Wildcats capitalized on their man-up advantage shortly after half time when Wendling scored another try just 2 minutes into the second half. Hollidge again made the conversion kick to give CWU a 14-12 lead.

Midway through the second half, BYU scored once again. The conversion kick was not made, but it was still enough for the Cougars to regain the lead at 17-14.

Hollidge tied the score at 17-17 in the 61st minute with a penalty kick for the Wildcats, but BYU responded shortly after with another try to take a five point lead. Despite an offensive push from the Wildcats throughout the rest of the match, BYU was able to hang on to their lead and win with a final score of 22-17.

CWU will return to competition on Saturday, Feb. 26th in Tucson against University of Arizona.