Central Washington is into the semifinals of the Varsity Cup after surviving a tough quarterfinal match against Utah at CWU's venue in Ellensburg, Wash. 

The game was played in a constant wind of 30 to 35 mph, and that breeze certainly curtailed some of the teams' plans. The game devolved somewhat into a battle of field position and power up front. Both teams have what it takes there, and certainly kicking for territory wasn't always the best option for CWU.

"They have Nata Lauti back there and he is one of those guys where you say, 'how did he out of that?' He's so elusive," said CWU Head Coach Tony Pacheco. 

Photos by Joe Epperson.

But the Wildcats did slowly put their stamp on the game. Maverick Schirmer went over midway through the first half, and Josh Bower's conversion attempt hit the post, leaving the score at 5-0. It remains as such until midway through the second half, when freshman flyhalf Dom Lindstrom went over.

Lindstrom was a HS select side player for Rugby Washington, but still was an unknown quantity as he was thrust into the starting role in a playoff game. But he stepped into the position and played well in difficult circumstances, and his try was a crucial one, putting CWU up 10-0.

Utah replied, with Lauti scoring and Danny Christensen putting over the conversion to make it 10-7.

"It was very tight there for a while and we definitely needed some breathing room," said Pacheco. 

CWU got a scoring chance with a penalty about 40 meters out. It was a difficult kick in the wind for Bower, but he nodded that he could get it over, and then curled the kick through the posts.

"It started out about ten meters to the left of the posts and then the wind just took it through," marveled Pacheco. That kick made it 13-7, and then Aladdin Schirmer scored a long-range try off an eightman pick. Utah had no answer.

"They are a good side," said Pacheco. "We both wanted to run but it was tough in the wind. Both teams got in the opposition 22 and came away with nothing, and that was partly due to the defenses. We're just happy we're still playing.