Match Recap: Grand Canyon University

WWU enjoyed a 45 degree temperature change after departing from a 25°F early Friday morning and arriving in a 80°F Phoenix winter day. A 12:00 noon training after arrival was planned to simulate the KO the following day.

The boys were obviously tired from a lack of sleep with many of the players leaving Bellingham at 1:00 to catch the 5:00 out of SeaTac. A progressive flexible adjustment (PFA) was made and the coaches cut the session to 45 minutes from the one hour plan. Rest, pool time and hydration were the priorities for the rest of the day.

Grand Canyon University plays in the CRAA D1A tier whereas WWU is a CRAA D1AA school. The boys were up for the challenge but fell short on the scoreboard. The match was a good one with the lead changing 6 times over the 80 minutes. Halftime score was 12-12 and the team was playing with full confidence despite 6 starters being out of the lineup. After the halftime break, the Vikings came out firing on the front foot. Winger Eli Ashmann (Sehome HS, Chuckanut Bay) had a tremendous game scoring 4 trys and could have had a fifth if not being called for a knock on in goal. For the record, the referee got it right! The opposition had no answer on defense as he ran through and around the "Lopes". Sam Schurver (Freshman, Eastside Tsunami Youth) scored a try and George Pritchard (Freshman, Elgin Park Secondary BC) added 7 points on a penalty goal and two conversions. The Vikings held the lead and took a 34-31 score into the last five minutes of the match. However GCU took advantage of a couple defensive mistakes and came away with the win. At the end of the day, the better team did not win the match.

The team will now enjoy a much earned BYE week. Next up will be home against Oregon State Beavers for a key NCRC match on February 22. KO is 1:00 at Harrington.

Watch Match Replay