Central Washington University banked its third win of the spring season and did so against an improved BYU playing at home. Wildcats scrumhalf Spencer Boldt was in the middle of the action and was pleased with how the young squad reacted to the conditions and opposition.
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“We know that BYU always comes out harder the second time around,” Boldt said of Saturday’s rematch. “Preparation last week involved watching their film and game plan, and readying for their kicking game and strong forward pack. Just in general, knowing it was our third game, we were focusing on getting our own structure and game flow right.”
Snow and wintry conditions added a wrinkle to the day’s plans; however, the weather wasn’t unseasonable and the adjustments familiar.
“The majority of us are pretty used to it,” Boldt said of the weather. “Ellensburg is a cold environment from the start, and we’ve been training in the snow the past few months. But the snow did surprise us. We were expecting a 40 degree day.
“The game plan from the beginning was to kick a lot,” the scrumhalf said. “So when the conditions aren’t great, that’s what we fall back on. The weather didn’t change a lot in terms of attack, but we definitely adjusted our lines to be a bit tighter for wet ball.”
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Boldt noted some game-day jitters that had to be processed during the first half, but also the effectiveness of BYU’s game plan.
“We knew BYU would kick but they just went to the right places this time,” Boldt said. “We had practiced counter-kicks all week and counter-attacking off kicks. We were expecting it, just not as much as it happened [Saturday]. There’s a little shell shock catching the high ball with slippery rain in your face.”
Kat Stowers and Kainoa Ah Quin were the main drivers of the Cougars’ kicking game, and the back three chased several grubbers to the CWU try line. The defense held off several scoring opportunities and were rewarded with the first points of the game. Thirty minutes in, freshman flanker Tessa Hann – MVP of the Grand Canyon match – scored, and captain Mikayla Roberts slotted a superb conversion meters off the sideline.
BYU ended the first half with a Nicole Lyons penalty (7-3), but Central Washington reclaimed momentum after the break.
“We executed well in the second half,” Boldt said. “By the 2nd half, we played our game and stuck to our structure, and were able to shut down their big hitters and their kicks. It just took us a few slippery balls to get it going.
“The whole forward pack led,” Boldt thought on the whole game. “They set up our first try, just grunt work and going at BYU hard. In the back line, we really relied on [MVP] Aly [Namosimalua], our winger, for that go-forward ball when we needed to be picked up, and then falling back on our forwards. Our defensive lineouts were amazing, too. It was good to know that even if we lost the ball, we were able to steal it back.”
Namosimalua secured a loose ball, flattened a defender, slipped past another and then Boldt, who was in support throughout the 50-meter dash, for the finishing pass and try. Haley Abeyta and Hann scored in the second half, while BYU hooker Cierrah Garza dotted down for the home side. Freshman reserve Kai Brandt-Templeton kicked two conversions in the 26-8 win.
“We were a second-half team yesterday, but we got under the pump and came back, and that shows grit and heart,” Boldt said. “It gets me excited about our ability to grind it out when conditions aren’t in our favor.
“We’re just happy and grateful to play again,” the graduate student added. “The more games, the better, especially compared to last year. We’re treating every week like a final, focusing on Lindenwood next and then Life. We’re putting our heads down and learning from the games we have.”
There’s no bye week for Central Washington, and the Wildcats will host Lindenwood University on March 20 in Ellensburg. Lindenwood’s varsity side has played two games so far, both against Life. The Lions won the first contest 39-17 at home and then 51-0 in Georgia.
“Lindenwood’s going to be a great game,” Boldt said. “Both teams have had success this year and I’m excited to play them. It’ll be good competition and it’ll be nice to have the game on our own field, a little home-field advantage.”
Boldt is a graduate student and has seen five seasons’ worth of Wildcats squads. She feels good about what the 2020-21 iteration can build.
“I definitely think this year we have a young team but our culture is amazing,” Boldt closed. “We’re playing as a team, not as individuals, and that’s really nice to see. I see a lot of success coming up and for the next four years for this freshman class. Other years, we’ve been right on the brink and this year I think we’ll get over the hump and really put our name out there.”