Allison Mueller/ Winonan

The University of North Dakota was scheduled to take on Winona State University women’s rugby team on Saturday but forfeited due to financial issues. The officers and coaches of Winona State’s Black Katts found themselves scrambling to secure a match against a quality opponent for a replacement game.

Luckily, the Minneapolis Menagerie and Wisconsin Rugby (Madison) clubs, both Division Two women’s teams, joined forces to take on the Black Katts. Since the forfeited game was set to take place at home, Black Katt assistant coach Nick Pronold worked to fill the gaps of players who were unable to make the trip to Eagan, Minn. to take on the senior women’s teams.

Head coach Joshua Krzewinski said the Black Katts could not afford a weekend off this close to post-season, and the last minute competition would be much tougher than what Winona State has seen this season.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to play ‘up’ as we are only three weeks out from playoffs,” Krzewinski said. “Being we are playing senior club teams, I expect us to be challenged, especially on the defensive side of the ball.”

The Black Katts have continued to increase their work rate in practice to prepare for playoffs. Krzewinski describes this work rate as “the ability to perform the skills needed at a high speed for an extended amount of time without physical or mental fatigue.”

Practice is continuing to start with a one to two mile run warm up followed by continually added agility drills.

Senior flanker/center Nadia Nassif said she loves the intensified practices in preparation for playoffs.

“Playoffs and nationals are a whole new level of play, and it is important that we put in the hours of intense practice to succeed as planned,” Nassif said. “Now is the time to try new things and gain confidence on the field, so when we are playing a tough game in an important situation we are ready to do what Black Katt rugby has always done.”

The Black Katts executed this plan to succeed and beat the mixture of two women’s teams on Saturday 70-0.

Krzewinski said, “The back line’s speed and power was no match for the opposition. With the backs carving up the field, it allowed our forward pack to also spread across the field and display some open field skills of their own.”

By halftime the Black Katts managed to rack up 38 points with tries and conversions from Lanoira Duhart, Georgia Porter, Lachen Esters and Lindsey Bucki.

Sam Wilcox opened the second half with a try. Her teammates followed with more tries and conversions from Rachel Thompson, Nikki Linberg, Megan Wolff, Kourtney Kavajecz, Bucki and Porter to give the Black Katts the 70-0 win.

Saturday, Oct. 25 the Black Katts will play the University of Minnesota Duluth in their final home game of the season.

Although Winona State women’s rugby continues to come out on top week after week, the Black Katts have dropped down to No. 1 in the nation as Notre Dame College took over the No. 2 title.

Krzewinski said according to the polls it was nothing the Black Katts did to warrant the swap between first and second rank. Winona State beat Notre Dame College in the national championship last year.

Notre Dame College has been able to schedule many Divison One teams due to funding from the college and flexible independent schedule. They also offer rugby scholarships and have brought in talent from around the world.

Krzewinski said, “This is motivating our girls to work even harder and prepare to take them down should we meet again in the final four.”