Lindenwood defeated Central Washington 41-15 Saturday in women’s D1A action in Ellensburg, Wash.

Reigning MA Sorensen Award-winner Freda Tafuna scored three tries in the first half. Her first try on a pick-and-go gave the Lions the lead within four minutes, Perhpas a bit set back by the pace and intensity of Lindenwood’s attack, CWU was able to rebound and hold the Lions at bay for a good 20 minutes, During that time the Wildcats inched closer with a Jessica Postle penalty goal. But more Lindenwood pressure was finished off by Tafuna to make it 12-3.

CWU responded well as  Winnie Namosimalua powered her way to the tryline. That made it 12-10 with halftime approaching. 

Paced by some good field generalship from Dianna Diaz and Amy Brice, and with Jasimen Fehoko asking questions of the CWU defense, Lindenwood got into the Wildcat’s 22 once more. There Tafuna dragged a bunch of players over the line. She converted and it was 19-10 at the break.

It remain that way until about 15 minutes into the second half. Lindenwood launched big kick from midfield. The chase was on from Brice and Claire Ferguson, and Brice was able to pick the ball up from the tackle and charge over.

That made it 24-10 but CWU did not capitulate. Postle scored on a heads-up quick tap to make it 24-15 with less than 15 minutes left.

However, Lindenwood closed it out in style with two quick tries from Irie Farley and Madison Jersey. Tafuna then finished it off with her fourth of the day to make it 41-15.

"It was our first match in four months, and it looked like it at time,” CWU Head Coach Matt Ramirez saids. “Some players had to put in big shifts today due to unfortunate injuries, but the time on the field for them was extremely valuable. We asked the team to win the moments; we just had too many costly errors in the contact area and Lindenwood is a team that can take advantage of all those mistakes, and they did."

“This was a very physical match from both sides,” added Lindenwood Head Coach Trevor Locke. “The girls had to work hard to open up space in the back half of the game, which is a credit to Central and their work rate.”