Colorado Mines finishes as the National Runner-Up in USA Rugby's Women's Fall D2 Championship

Article by Chris Turner  |  Originally published at usarugby.org

Photo by Kirstyn Paynter | courtesy of usarugby.org

Winona State vs Colorado School of Mines

Mines were off to a hot start of the match working their way to the Winona 5 meter line within minutes. Mines looked strong but needed to keep possession and momentum with this dangerous Winona Black Kattz side.  Winona began to recenter the strategy and held onto more possession after the early Colorado push, fielding their way to the door of the tryline with multiple phases of pick and jams. Mines were steady in defense, but eventually allowed Winona’s loosehead prop, Makayla Leraas, to find the open space in the line and swan dove over for the first score of the match.

After some back and forth play between the 22 meter lines, Colorado’s kick game allowed them to advance and retain ball for over 10 phases, which ultimately earned themselves solid field position. It wouldn’t be long for Mines’ to strike back with their own prop, Erin Visak, who plowed through the Winona goal line stance, giving her team their score of the game. For the remainder of the match, the common theme of back and forth play between the two sides, as each team answered back to their opponents. Winona & Mines were both quick in ball movement, which continued to gain territory deep into each other’s halves. Winona would regain back possession to then quickly advance ball through their forwards, having their loosehead prop, Makayla Leraas, put the cherry on top of her team’s hard work for the score.

Winona’s captain and inside center, Emily Becker, would open up the lovely chip and chase kicking game for her club, which was often gathered in by her own team advancing into Colorados’ half. With the onslaught of chip kicks from Becker, Mines began to hold their own, with backs against their tryline. After many minutes, phases and turnovers, both teams seemed to be at a stalemate in attempting to put themselves into prime scoring positions. This was a common theme until Winona crashed the ball deep into Mines half and gained a restart penalty. Capitalizing quickly, Winona’s outside center, Abigail Andler, took matters into her own hands and charged over the white line to put her squad up with a bigger margin just before the half.

Halftime Score: Winona State 19 – Colorado Mines 5

Photo by Kirstyn Paynter | courtesy of usarugby.org

After the halftime break, the back and forth offensive match continued to carve up both defenses, with both clubs consistently showing why they deserved to be in the final. Bruising, punishing runs and hits would weaken the defensive front with each passing minute. In lieu of breaking down and tiring out their forward defenses, both backlines gained massive meters, while the forwards ultimately finished the job, with picking and jamming within the 10 meter lines.

Winona broke free of the ‘ping-pong’ match by continuing to pressure Mines with the active boot of Emily Becker’s in-play kicking. Pinning Mines against the wall multiple times, her team followed up with aggressive defensive attack. Mines fought back valiantly, keeping their hopes alive with tough running and determined play. Unfortunately, untimely turnovers and penalties continued to plague the Colorado side, disallowing themselves to advance the ball effectively.

Winona’s Emily Becker would continue put Mines in pressure with her kicking. They wouldn’t gain positive meters until Colorado pooched a grubber past the Winona defense, to enter their opponent’s half for only the 3rd time in the second half. Even though time and scoring chances were not in Colorado’s favor, their team’s body language said otherwise, by remaining confident of the potential opportunities. When Mines did have chances with ball into Winona territory, they unfortunately knocked on or turned ball over, limiting their chances down 14 points with 15 minutes left in game. The last 30 minutes of the match were scoreless due to Winona’s strategic kicking game, until Colorado’s fullback, Michaela Adams, brought the ball across the white line for the score. But the last ditch effort would prove to be too little and too late as Winona State celebrates their championship win after the missed conversion by Mines.

Final Score: Winona State 19 – Colorado School of Mines 10