Allison Mueller/Winonan

Winona State University women’s rugby team, the Black Katts, are headed to the National Final Four in Florida after sweeping the Sweet 16 and the Elite 8 in Wayne, Neb. over the weekend.

The week of practice in preparation for the big weekend was different than normal. Practice was cut short on Tuesday due to the cold weather, and the Black Katts left for Nebraska on Thursday, leaving their final practice to be held at Wayne State where the tournament took place.

Nadia Nassif said she felt confident in her teammates going into the weekend games.

“We have been working hard all year and have had some especially intense practices these last few weeks,” Nassif said.

Coach Josh Krzewinski also said that he felt confident in the Black Katts and that he probably gets more nervous than the girls.

Krzewinski said, “This is the Sweet 16, the teams out there are just as talented as we are.”

First up to face Winona State in the tournament was the University of Nebraska.

After a tough ten minutes of Nebraska almost scoring, Holly Vassar scored from a driving lineout close to the try line and put the Black Katts on the board 5-0.

Lindsay Bucki scored next after the backs ran down the field and passed it out the back line. The conversion by Katie Dries made the score was 12-0.

After the ball went out to the backs Holly Edelburg scored and Hillary Zimmer made the conversion. The score was then 19-0.

After a series of penalties against both teams, Bucki scored again out wide, making the score 24-0.

The University of Nebraska scored next after a drive through the middle, bringing the score 24-5.

Caitlin Courtney then scored with a minute left in the first half.

Krzewinski said that he could tell that the Black Katts were nervous going into the game, “It took some time to get rolling, and we entered halftime feeling pretty good.”

The second half brought more penalties, dropped balls and missed tackles that allowed the University of Nebraska to stay in the game.

After 12 minutes of struggle, Courtney made a great individual effort and scored. After the conversion by Zimmer, the score was 36-5.

More penalties against the Black Katts led to two more tries by the University of Nebraska, making the score 36-15.

To end the game, Emilee Burkhalter scored a try followed by Georgia Porter, bringing the game to a final 46-15.

Krzewinski said that the University of Nebraska was a strong, hard-hitting team.

“We were happy to have overcome what they had to throw at us,” Krzewinski said.

The next day the Black Katts played Colorado Mesa University in the Elite 8.

Kathryn Zahn scored the first try of the game, and the conversion by Zimmer gave the Black Katts a quick 7-0 lead.

Next to score after a 50-meter gain by the backs was Tori Langhans. Ashley Pomeroy stole the ball, leading to Bucki scoring on the next try, for a 17-0 lead. Penalties against Colorado Mesa University led Zimmer to make a kick and the score was 20-0.

Courtney scored two tries and after two successful conversions it was a 34-0 game at halftime.

Soon after the second half started, Courtney scored again followed by Nadia Nassif. The conversion by Zimmer made the score 46-0.

Lanoria Duhart scored the next try, followed by Courtney after she broke through three tackles. Zimmer converted again, bringing the game 58-0.

A play by Trisha Harris and Ashley Pomeroy led Pomeroy to score a try followed by the final try of the game by Holly Edelburg. The conversion by Zimmer made the game a final 70-0 for the Black Katts.

Krzewinski said, “The games versus Nebraska and Colorado were night and day. We cleaned up our tackling versus Colorado, and that made a world of difference.”

Coach Roger Riley said, “Sunday was a very pleasing result for us, and I think it shows that Winona State has built a rugby program, not just a rugby team.”

The Black Katts are now moving on to the National Final Four held at the Myrtle Lake Sports Complex in Auburndale, Fla. Dec. 7 and 8. Their first game of the final tournament will be against Kutztown State.

The Black Katts are determined to come out on top after the weekend in Florida.

Nassif said, “Everyone wants this year to be ‘the year.’”

Contact Allison at [email protected]