Photos courtesy Winona State Women’s Rugby
The four teams en route to the DII college fall championship semifinals all dominated their respective leagues. And it’s not uncommon for the eventual final four to also cruise through the Rounds of 32, 16 and 8. Stout competition is a valuable commodity and Winona State got that in Lemont, Ill.
RELATED: DI & DII College Fall Brackets* (see below) • Black Katts Young & Eager • Mines Wins Rocky Mountains
Winona State handled Sam Houston State in a 68-0 Round of 16 victory on Saturday, while Rocky Mountain champion Colorado School of Mines – a newcomer to the fall regional post-season – topped UW La Crosse 27-0.
“The conditions Saturday were not favorable for anyone, and it took a lot of energy out of our girls. However, all the teams had to deal with that,” Winona State Josh Krzewinski explained the team’s mindset heading into Sunday’s quarterfinal against Mines. “In my opinion, we came out a bit confident due to the lopsided score posted on Saturday.”
Mines was confident, too, and scored the game’s first try five minutes in, courtesy of hooker Alexandra Garza. Tries from Mary Wallace and Sydney Slouka, who also added two conversions, and a penalty try added up to 26 first-half points.
“We struggled with ball handling in contact, as well as repeated offsides penalties, which then kept us on our heels and waiting to attack up defensively,” Krzewinski recalled. “The penalties allowed Mines to move up the field on us and put them in solid field position. Some missed tackles allowed Mines forward punches to get over the try line.
“When able to get the ball out to our backs, we found space,” the coach continued. “Playing without our starting flyhalf [Abigail Andler] had the entire backline out of position, but Emily Becker, who is typically our inside center, did a great job stepping into that role. We had four tries come from the back line.”
Outside center Sydney Gould was particularly effective, scoring two tries. Becker added seven points on a try and conversion, and flanker Diana Tapia’s try saw the Black Katts trail 26-22 into the break.
“The difference-maker was possession,” Krzewinski previewed the second-half turnaround. “We were trying to go too fast and didn’t adapt to the conditions. Once we slowed things down, the forward pack began securing ruck after ruck, and we continually would kick to the corners putting Mines’ deep three under pressure, often resulting in them kicking the ball out or turning it over deep in their own 22.”
Once in Mines’ half, Winona State’s scrum provided a solid attacking platform. A pick off the back afforded the Black Katts the go-ahead try, 27-26, at minute 62. Late-game scores from freshman and Armstrong graduate Tapia and No. 8 Lindsey Rutz made for a more comfortable win, 37-26.
“Mines has been the best test we have had, certainly. Hats off to them. They played hard and picked each other up,” Krzewinski praised. “It is so hard to break down things when everything is covered in mud. It completely changes game plans and strategies. We put the ball into the hands of our best athletes and they stepped up. It is certainly a game all of them will remember. I’m very proud of the girls for battling from behind.”
Of the four fall semifinalists, the Minnesota team has the strongest post-season history this decade, but the roster runs young, making the Mines game especially valuable.
* NOTE: USA Rugby has the option to swap semifinal opponents, so despite the layout of the brackets, those matchups could change. That said, since Winona State, Vassar and Coast Guard finished second, third and fourth, respectively, last year and Cincinnati is new, it would make sense if the semifinals seeded and paired:
#1 Winona St. vs. #4 Cincinnati
#2 Vassar vs. #3 Coast Guard