Allison Mueller/ Winonan

After three weeks without a match the Winona State University women’s rugby team the Black Katts traveled to Cedar Falls, Iowa over the weekend to compete in the National Sweet 16 and Elite 8.

Junior flyhalf Kathryn Zahn said at this high level of tournament play the Black Katts need to be mentally prepared to face tough competition.

“We need to focus on our game,” Zahn said. “I think if we play our game and come focused with a fire under our butts we can make it to Florida,” Zahn said.

The Black Katts did just that.

After winning against the undefeated University of Arkansas 94-0, Winona State moved to the Elite 8, defeating Utah Valley University 20-7 and securing a spot in the National Final Four for the fourth consecutive year.

Head coach Joshua Krzewinski said the main focus for the Black Katts going into the weekend was to “get our rhythm going early.”

“We need to put a score in quickly and keep pressure on Arkansas’ key players,” Krzewinski said.

Outside center Nadia Nassif opened the floodgates in scoring for the Black Katts with the first try of the match. Winona State saw multiple scores to follow from Nicole Linberg, Lanoira Duhart, Katie Dries, Lindsey Bucki, Sydney Norman, Andrea White, Lachen Esters, Kourtney Kavajecz, Bailee Jerger and Samantha Wilcox.

Krzewinski said, “It was a great match to see coming off our nearly monthlong break.”

The Black Katts went head-to-head against Utah Valley in a fresh blanket of snow and freezing temperatures the following day in the Elite 8 match.

Krzewinski said the snowy field kept the Black Katt’s speed down and resulted in high handling errors while the wind made it nearly impossible to kick conversions.

Nonetheless, Winona State managed to keep their opponent scoreless going into the second half while they scored four tries—one each from Tori Langhans, Georgia Porter, Esters and Bucki.

These 20 points were all the Black Katts would post in the game while Utah Valley managed to put a short attack together and get on the board with a late try, bringing the final score 20-7.

The Black Katts will compete at the Final Four next in Florida.

Zahn said the Black Katts will be moving on as the underdogs in tournament play as most of the teams competing in the finals are varsity status teams.

“They have the luxury of recruiting top-of-the-line players, giving out scholarships and having all access to school funds and facilities. As a club team we do not have this advantage,” Zahn said. “If we can overcome these things and play to our full potential, I think we can win it this year in Florida.”

Zahn said the first time the Black Katts went to the Final Four was during her freshman year of play in 2011. She said winning the title of national champions last year was “easily one of the best moments of my life.”

“After taking second place for two years in a row, winning last year was everything,” Zahn said. “Doing it again would just prove to ourselves, the school and the rugby nation that we are, and will always be, a force to be reckoned with.”

Krzewinski also said winning a second national title would be “incredible.”

“Anyone can win it once, but back-to-back is special,” Krzewinski said.

The Black Katts will fly to Palm Coast, Fla. on Thursday, Dec. 4 to compete against Bowdoin College on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Notre Dame College will face Kutztown University in the other match of the Final Four and the winner of the two matches will compete for the title of national champions.

Winona State faced both teams last year, defeating Kutztown in the semifinal and Notre Dame in the final match.