The University of Wisconsin Whitewater are into the national DII final after defeating Notre Dame College Saturday in the national semifinal in Greenville, SC.

The final score was … but it was a tight, tense game all the way through. Notre Dame took an early lead thanks to a Ronan Forestall penalty kick and the two teams battled on the defensive line.

Whitewater was used to scoring at will in most games, and Notre Dame stymied them through pst of the first half. It wasn’t until 25 minutes in that the Warhawks scored, attacking off their lineout and then sending a kick to the corner. Notre Dame recovered right on their line but a massive tackle jarred the ball loose for the try.

It stayed 5-3 for almost the entire 1st half until Whitewater kicked a penalty goal to make it 8-3 at the break.

In the second half Whitewater opened the ball up. Good defensive pressure forced a fairly aimless clearance kick that gave Whitewater plenty of room to counter. The ball was spun out to fullback Eric Pachowitz, who few his man and fed wing Matt Drzewicki, who scampered in for the try.

Drzewiecki looked to be away for another, but was just pushed into touch. However, fullback Pachowitz wasn’t done. After being stuck in their own 22 for a period, Whitewater broke out through flanker Ian Olivas, who ran 50 meters before finding his support. Some impressive passing on the gallop set up Pachowitz for the try in the corner to make it 18-3.

Moments later, Whitewater had a free kick off a scrum at midfield, and a chip ahead to Pachowitz saw the fullback gather the ball and touch down - once more in the corner.

Notre Dame had several useful runs, especially from fullback Marcus Tupuola, and finally Tupuola raced through on a good individual effort for a try.

But Whitewater settled down, and Tim Grams slotted a penalty to seal it 26-10.

“We focussed hard all week on committing the defenders and finding a hole on the outside,” said Man of the Match Pachowitz.

The pack worked hard, and, said the fullback, “worked their butts off.”

UW-Witewater 26
Tries: Pachowitz 2, Drzewiecki, Other
Pens: T. Grams 2

Notre Dame 10
Tries: Tupuola
Convs: Forrestal
Pens: Forrestal