University of Minnesota-Duluth may have struggled in a difficult semifinal on Saturday, and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater may have looked explosive in the semis, but in the end the struggle was what it was all about as Duluth held off Whitewater 25-19 to win the Penguins’ third straight national men’s DII college championship.

Duluth won it by playing superb defense, not allowing Whitewater a try until the result was essentially decided. Flyhalf Trace Bolstad was brilliant with crucial kicking from the hand and the tee, and opening up attacking options for his backs. Fullback Matt Martin scored a critical try, while the twin towers of Connor Gleason and Andrew Buntrock kept the team moving forward.

Whitewater showcased some impressive talent, with hooker Garrett Shibilski once again a revelation and flyhalf Jack Healy and No. 8 Sam Koerner putting in yeoman efforts. But it was Duluth’s day in Greenville, SC once again.

Whitewater looked to score quickly and tried to free up left wing Alex Treuthardt on the left wing. But right wing Nemuel Nyangaresi was yup to the challenge. And instead, it was Duluth that exploited a turnover and powered to the tryline. With the forwards pounding at the line, it was lock Gleason who picked and scored.

Whitewater replied with a Tim Grams penalty, but then Duluth scored from a turnover. Whitewater had the ball in their own 22 and opted to run it out. But a loose pass was pounced on by center Austin Haecherl, and he then popped the ball to his center mate Logan Hanson, who galloped in under the posts.

Once again, Whitewater answered with a Grams penalty, but Duluth held on 12-6, and after Whitewater lock Zachary Smith was yellow-carded for repeated infringements, Bolstad slotted a penalty for a 15-6 halftime lead.

It was all on a knife edge after that. Grams kicked another penalty, as Whitewater sent center Robbie Sindic hard against the Duluth defense and tried to link him with fullback Eric Pachowitz. The game continued to be a defensive war, with both teams putting in huge hits at the point of contact. 

With the score still at 15-9, Whitewater bashed at the Duluth line, but somehow the Penguins held firm. And finally, with about 12 minutes to go, Duluth surged out with Luc Desroches and Randall Tanak making key plays. Inside the Whitewater 22, Duluth fullback Matt Martin made a darting, sidestepping run that flummoxed several Whitewater defenders and went in under the posts. Just like that it was 22-9, and soon Bolstad slotted a kick to make it 25-9. 

Whitewater made a surge in the final minutes. Shibilski went on a run and popped to Koerner for a try, and then the hooker scored himself, but it was too little, too late. 

In a game of unmatched intensity, Duluth won their third championship in as many years.

For Duluth, Desroches was again a key ground-gainer, although, as was true of everyone in the game, the space wasn’t as evident as it was against other teams. But the No. 8 fielded the second-half kickoff knowing that Whitewater wanted to camp out in the UMD end, and he took off, breaking through tackles and putting his team in the Whitewater half.

“I didn’t think I’d go all the way, but I wanted to start the second half strong and get us going forward,” said the co-captain. “I thought in the first half we didn’t really utilize our forwards the way that we should have. I think in the second half we kind of clicked ad figured that our pick-and-goes were working. Then with a kid as fast as Matt Martin, you can use him when it’s right.”

Duluth did not give up on any defensive stand, and frustrated Whitewater as a result.

“The semi was a great game for us against Salisbury; their pick-and-go was amazing and it got us ready for today.”

“Whitewater played an amazing game and had a great season,” said UMD Coach Jeramy Ktchuba. “But it was a full team effort for us on defense. We talked about it before the matches started about how we all needed to get around the park. The work that the boys put in in the middle of August in two-a-days. Our fitness, the hard work, it shows. It’s all about hard work.”

Duluth showed impressive game awareness in that when they held a lead they used the forwards to eat up energy, territory, and time, and when the three pints were on offer to make it a three-score game, they took it.

Duluth may have steamrolled their opposition through the season, but they did it not necessarily because opponents were weak, but because they set a standard and hold themselves to it.

Whitewater was an exceptional team, and ran up against a team more exceptional.