It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t even difficult, it was extremely difficult, but Life University did just enough to get to its seventh-straight D1A final, defeating rival Lindenwood 27-19 Saturday in Marietta, GA.

This D1A semifinal was expected to be enormously physical, and it was. Lindenwood produced possibly their performance of the season, taking the fight to the Running Eagles through the evening. 

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Intense pressure, led by the back row of Wes White, Michael de Waal, and Colten Hernandez.

That pressure led to early penalty goals from Reece Botha. Duncan Van Schalkwyk added one of his own and Lindenwood led 6-3 as halftime approached.

But Life find a little space and started to use the running ability of Harley Wheeler and flanker Justin Johnson. After a few bashes at the try line, Wheeler was able to scrape his way in from short range to give Life a lead of 8-6.

That appeared to be how the half would end, but the Running Eagles exploited a couple of penalties, pressured once more, and put try-scoring sensation Daemon Torres over for a 15-6 lead at the break.

Undaunted, Lindenwood matched braun with braun and looked to claw their way back. Botha slotted another penalty, but both defenses were just too hard-hitting.

Then, a massive break from center Lorenzo Thomas looked to be good enough to put him in at the corner. But somehow fullback Mitch Wilson hauled him down and tried to push him into touch. Thomas did well to stay in the field of play, and the ball was quickly sent out by scrumhalf Richard Felton to center Anelisa Mteto, and he just dove over. 

The try came partly from Felton’s vision, as he turned what had been a bit of a slog movement into a breakaway when he saw Thomas had some room.

Now, with the Botha conversion, Lindenwood had the lead 16-15.

There was still plenty of rugby to be played, however, and while Lindenwood looked to pin Life back, the counter-attacking of Wilson and the kicking from Van Schalkwyk kept Life out of too much trouble.

Then, the big break. Hooker Brian Mutanga cut through into open field, fed Torres who was in support, and Torres found the ever-speedy Julian Roberts who raced to the corner.

That made it 20-19. Life was right back on attack after that, and Torres picked up the ball from the ruck, saw no one in front of him, and strode in to seal the game 27-19.

This was a superb effort from both teams. No one back down and both teams hit as hard as possible. Torres and his second row mate, Jamie Berrisford, were enormous for Life. Wheeler, Wilson Ryan Rees at scrumhalf, and Van Schalkwyk all had big moments.

It was a supreme team effort from Lindenwood that almost earned the Lions an upset in hostile territory. But Life will return to the open (Cal) and the location (Santa Clara) of their famous championship victory from last year.

But it wasn’t easy.

Life 27

Tries: Wheeler, Torres 2, Roberts

Convs: Van Schalkwyk 2

Pens: Van Schalkwyk

Lindenwood 19

Tries: Mteto

Convs: Botha

Pens: Botha 4