Allison Mueller/Winonan

Winona State University’s women’s rugby team, the Black Katts, continues to blowout every team that crosses its path.

North Dakota State University women’s rugby team visited Winona to challenge the Black Katts and left with their tails between their legs after being defeated 100-0.

The week before the game, weed killer had been placed on the Black Katt’s field, forcing them to practice in a parking lot. Also, storms forced the team to practice in nasty conditions.

Despite all this, the Black Katts practiced hard, specifically focusing on technique and fundamentals.
Coach Roger Riley and coach Josh Krzewinski were confident that their team would do very well against NDSU.

“Josh thought we could score 100 but I thought 80 was more realistic,” Riley said. “I was proven wrong.”

Juniors Hillary Zimmer and Nadia Nassif both shared the same optimism and excitement as their coaches before the game.

“It’s always fun to have a home game where friends and peers come to watch us play.” Zimmer said.
Nassif said, “Each and every game we go out there ready to try out all the stuff we worked hard on all week at practice.”

The game started off with an early run by Nikki Linberg, allowing Lindsey Bucki to make a quick touchdown and a conversion by Katie Dries.

Samantha Wilcox soon scored off a loose ball, followed by an interception from Caitlin Courtney, who ran the field for a try with Dries converting, bringing the score 24-0.

Ashley Pomeroy set Courtney up for a try, and Dries converted after Lindsey Bucki scored after Courtney, bringing the game 38-0.

Soon after, Nassif, in her first game at inside center, found a hole and scored. Dries converted once again and the score was then 45-0.

Nassif, again, found another gap after a new play was executed called “jenga.” The result was a try to Linberg and a conversion by Dries, boosting the Black Katts into the halftime with a lead 52-0.

To start off the second half, Georgia Porter kicked box kick from scrumhalf, and the next play saw Courtney run it in for a try with Dries converting.

With the score 59-0, Nassif had a nice run and passed the ball off to Courtney who then passed it back to Nassif for a try and conversion from Dries, making the score 66-0.

Next, Amanda Custode scored on a play. After Dries converted, she kicked down field where Maddie Skalecki ran it down and Custode scored again right after, bringing the game to 78-0.

Patricia Harris then scored the try after sneaking around a ruck, and soon after Dries drop kicked over the posts, making the score 86-0.

After Courtney scored and Dries converted yet again, Zimmer caused a turnover and Rachel Stoll scored in the corner, bringing the score to 98-0.

To finish off the game, Zimmer converted and the Black Katts destroyed NDSU 100-0.

The coaches said that scoring triple digits and shutting out NDSU were not the only accomplishments for the Black Katts.

“Another really big accomplishment was having some younger players get playing time so they can develop into leaders in the next few seasons,” Krzewinski said. “Some of our juniors and seniors were also able to step up their leadership skills.”

Overall, this was a huge win for the Black Katts and not only on a physical and mental level. Riley said that this win set their team ahead in the Northern Lights league, and they are in a strong contention to go to their fifth national playoffs in a row.

This win can be attributed to simply playing as a team.

“In lopsided wins such as this, many players can get ‘try eyes’ and not make a pass or try to do too much instead of performing their role and allowing teammates to assist with their roles,” Krzewinski said. “Currently the team has had two very nice wins in a row due to the fact we are playing as a team.”

Riley agreed with Krzewinski and said, “Everyone really gelled nicely on Saturday. It was a great team effort.”

The Black Katts will take this team effort and their record of 8-0 into their next game in St. Benedicts on Saturday.

“The hard part now is not allowing such a huge win get to any ones ego and work ethic,” Krzewinski said.

With a team like the Black Katts and with the record and reputation that they have, it’s hard to picture any team getting in the way of them going to nationals.

Contact Allison at [email protected]