Western Washington Grit Gets Them to Indy

04.14.2026College Men

Western Washington wins under the storm clouds.

Author: Alex Goff

We've got our final four in the CRAA Men's D1AA playoffs after three teams won over the weekend.

Vikings, Finally

In what was probably the closest thing to an upset, Western Washington defeated American River 27-17 in the rain in Northern California.

Western knew they were up against an ARC team that had size, power, and athleticism. If the Vikings were going to win, they would have to be excellent on their tackles, tactically smart, and be great at the little rgby things.

Early on WWU identified set piece as an aspect of play where they could get some traction, especially with the weapons they had in the lineout. They also looked to leverage their kicking game.

But in the end it was probably all about defense. WWU came up quickly, providing a defensive front that the Beavers had not seen much of this year.

Their first try came from strong line speed that forced a hurried pass and pushed ARC down in front of their posts. WWU got a scrum, went wide, and Eli Ashmann slid into the corner.

Geprge Pritchard slotted a penalty and then the thunder and lightning came.

This was the same storm system that undercut the CRAA Women's D1 final and delayed the Pacific 4 test matches, and it was a doozy. At least, with there being just one game on ARC's pitch, they could wait it out.

Back on the field WWU struggled to get the ball back. Head Coach Adam Roberts had essentially told his players they should avoid going for the poach, and should instead just tackle and force turnovers that way. Well, ARC kept coming.

The Vikings tackled and tackled and tackled, and finally, late in the first half, ARC was forced to kick. WWU countered nicely with Ashmann and Pritchard getting involved before flanker Jericho Ishmael helped set up the outside backs. A nice pop off the deck put wing Jerry Fleming through, and with Pritchard's kick over the bar, it was 15-0.

"It was a pretty hostile environment, and the weather didn't really allow us to play the way we wanted to play," said Roberts. "But I was just really proud of the grit and determination the boys showed, even when we got into penalty trouble."

Out-penalized 20-9 and with four yellow cards, Western struggled. But what they didn't do was turn on each other.

"I told the boys at halftime, keep your head down, keep working; it's going to be a slock. We made 140 tackles on Saturday. Guys were incredible; some made 25 tackles," said Roberts.

What they needed to do was score when the opportunities presented themselves. Perhaps the key score was near the midpoint of the second half. Having finally given up a try to make it 15-5, WWU was threatening, and a brilliant, scything run from Ashmann (who has been a star for them for years), answered that and made it, one more, a three-score game.

Confident in their defense, WWU held on 27-17 and booked a spot in the semis in Indianapolis.

They join Heart of America champs Iowa State, Millennia Atlantic, who beat Florida Sate 26-21 Saturday, and Arizona State, who defeated San Jose State in another close one 38-31.

This, interestingly, shows the depth of the division. Iowa State beat Iowa 34-19, but it's worth pointing out that Iowa had beaten ISU earlier in the fall.

But the four games to decide who makes the semifinals had these scores: 34-19, 27-17, 38-31, and 26-21.

All close. All competitive.

For Western Washington, this was a big game. They have been on the edge of making these championship weekends, and felt they had the team to get there.

But playing a very tough ARC team, they were in danger of being left behind again. Someone has to win, and someone has to lose, so now ARC (and FSU and SJSU and Iowa) feels like they almost made it.

Western Washington can sympathize.