As details about the DI fall championship develop, one thing is for certain: A new team will represent the Midwest this year. Northern Iowa led the region for years, but it’s time for either Minnesota or Iowa State to head to nationals.

The previous two weekends have provided a nice build into the post-season. On Oct. 17, the league-toppers looked to break each other’s undefeated record, but it was Minnesota that remained 4-0 with a 26-19 win. During last weekend’s Midwest semifinals, the Gophers defeated UW Madison 34-20, and the Cyclones beat Northern Iowa 29-10 to advance to this weekend’s final.

“We were missing some key players due to other commitments and injury, but the rest of girls played the best team rugby I've seen them play all season,” Iowa State coach Mark Wibholm reported.

The teams traded scores in the first half. The forwards drove the Panthers’ performance, punishing the gain line and – although not as pronounced as the teams’ regular season meeting – had an edge in the scrum. ISU empowered its flankers to make that first tackle behind the gain line, reducing the momentum of UNI’s strong ballcarriers.

“The girls made great adjustments in the second half, better utilizing our strengths and getting to rucks quicker,” Wibholm praised. “In the end, the depth of ISU maintained the pace of the game at a high level.”

Iowa State finished its scoring opportunities through its backs, as inside center Elizabeth Reding scored four tries, and wing Payton Gartin added a fifth. Flyhalf Maureen Booth added two conversions

A differently styled game occurred on the other side of the bracket. The Minnesota and UW Madison backs essentially neutralized each other, and all of the tries came out of the forwards.

The teams scored in batches of two. Minnesota took a 12-point lead during the opening 15 minutes before the Badgers responded with two of their own, 12-10. The Gophers scored two more before the break (22-10), and then both sides dotted down twice in the second stanza, 34-20.

“This week against Minnesota will be a tough match again,” Wibholm previewed. “They have good forwards and speed on the outside. Keys for us will be to have a healthy squad and better hands than the last time we played them. 

“It's been a fun season with a new Midwest champion soon to be crowned,” the coach added. “The level of rugby in the Midwest has improved each year, and it helps those who go to playoffs to have competitive games in the league.”

The Midwest champion will head to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., for the West’s half of the DI Round of 8 (Nov. 21-22). In all likelihood, the Midwest team will be joined by Southwest champion Texas, a Mountain West representative (Air Force, Colorado State, or Colorado), and a fourth team that might be a play-in.