Black Katts Seek Gold in N.C.

Winona State has enjoyed great success for the past decade, but that reputation added a layer intimidation when it won this fall’s Division I Midwest conference. The Black Katts played up this fall in order to bring more security to the regular-season schedule, and the impact showed itself during last weekend’s DII fall regional championships.

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In fall 2018, Winona State endured four forfeits en route to the DII final, and fell 50-13 to Vassar in the title match.

“We made the decision last winter to apply for a move into the D1 Midwest conference this fall as an independent team, which gave us the opportunity to get a few more matches before playoffs and compete against some new teams and prepare for different styles of rugby,” Winona State head coach Josh Krzewinski explained. “The team has been working hard since the end of August to give ourselves the chance to finish on top — now we just have to execute.”

Winona State played its regular season in the DI Midwest and went undefeated. The team then realigned with the Northern Lights for the post-season and contested a seeding match against Mankato State en route to DII regionals. President Diana Tapia and inside center Emily Becker went into deeper detail regarding the value of such a setup. READ MORE.

The Black Katts won that seeding match in shutout fashion, and then earned a bye through the Fall Round of 32 when its intended opponent relinquished its seed. The western pool saw three Round of 32 byes, and as a result, Winona State and Mankato State were forced to play each other in the Fall Round of 16 on Saturday.

“Having not played since Nov. 2, we were flat coming in against Mankato,” Krzewinski noted. “This would also be the third time facing Mankato this fall, which is never an easy thing to do. It’s very easy to become complacent in your preparation and efforts when you have beaten a team twice earlier in the season.”

Winona State needed time to find its rhythm; meanwhile, Mankato made it difficult with a high-pressure game. Emily Becker, Sydney Stokes and Diana Tapia scored tries, but some mistakes and lapses in ball security limited the number of multiple-phase attacks that should have resulted in more points. With Becker’s conversions, Winona led 19-0 at half.

“The second half, Mankato came out strong and inspired, but we were able to keep our composure, eliminate some of the errors we were creating for ourselves and extend the 19-0 halftime lead to a 43-0 win.”

Tapia, Madelyn Rabideau and Abby Andler (2) added second-half tries, while Becker added another two conversions. On the other side of the bracket, Grand Valley State beat UW Oshkosh 29-12 for the quarterfinal berth. Heading into Sunday, the team focused on ball security in contact, continuity, and setting the pace of the game.

“The match against Grand Valley State was a very strong performance,” Krzewinski noted the uptick in the quarterfinals. “With a strong wind at our back we knew we wanted to pin Grand Valley deep in their half, and shut down the #9 and #10 to prevent any sort of backline attack.”

That element of the game worked well, and Winona State held the Lakers to 12 points. No. 8 McKenzie Cain and scrumhalf Lizzie Randall scored in the fourth quarter and flyhalf Emily D’Ascenzo kicked the extras to account for Grand Valley’s points.

“Our forwards’ ability to control the set pieces and dominate at the breakdowns was going to be the essential part of playing the game we needed to play,” Krzewinski added. “From the opening kickoff, the team was in sync. Scrumhalf Caitlyn Deetz was varying up the attack platforms and distributed the ball quickly, creating some great go-forward rugby by both units. Flanker Diana Tapia was a menace in the lineouts and in the open field, often stealing or disrupting any chance of clean ball. Both units found space and kept Grand Valley backing up on defense.”

Becker led all point scorers with 29 (3T, 7C), while Tapia added three tries to the tally. Andler, Annika Culver, Deetz, Autumn Patterson, Rabideau and Liana Schallock dotted down one try apiece in the quarterfinal win.

“Sunday was certainly the performance we were looking for at this point in the season,” Krzewinski praised the team. “We had several players play some of their best rugby. It was the perfect time for the team to gel like they did. We credit Mankato’s second-half efforts and challenge that inspired us coming into Sunday’s match with the focus and determination we needed to perform like we did.”

The coach also lauded the squad’s flexibility over two consecutive games, an attribute that will come in handy during the fall semifinals and final. Sarah Junken moved to No. 8 and was solid; same with Julie Lutzen, a flanker who got time in the front row this weekend. Prop Rabideau got reps at second row, as well.

“Our deep three consisting of Claire Birk, Analise Stock, and Autumn Patterson all stepped up and did not allow anything to get around them or over them,” Krzewinski praised the backs. “They also gave us another facet to our backline attack.”

Rookie Lindsey Schneeberger continued to shine in her breakout season, taking up at hooker and contributing stellar tackles, support at the breakdown and power-running with the ball.

“Getting girls in various roles has been a priority of ours all season,” the coach noted. “It has allowed us to make quality personnel changes based on our opponents, as well as overcome some injuries and absences that we have had to deal with.”

Winona State will play the Coast Guard in the DII fall semifinals on Dec. 7 and depending on the results, face either Vassar or Colorado School of Mines on Dec. 8.

“Finishing on top is obviously the goal, but we cannot look past the semifinal,” Krzewinski concluded. “We know Coast Guard is fit, strong, and very fundamental; they always are. It’s a great program and they are hungry to get into the championship on Sunday. Last year they played Vassar in the semifinals and had a brilliant showing against them that came up short. We know we are going to have to put together an exceptional team performance to get through them.”

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