Winona Crowned Lakefront Champs
Winona Crowned Lakefront Champs
The title required an overtime surge in the final, but it was well worth it, as Winona won the Lakefront 7s women’s division for the first time in its history.
“Having come close [to the title] several times in the past, the overtime final was a sweet victory,” Winona coach Josh Krzewinski said of the 29-24 win over the Touring In Training Side. “We had had some success in our previous two tournaments, winning them both, so we knew we had the talent to do it. We wanted to play simply rugby: safe hands, ball security, quick recycled ball, and team defense.”
The Black Katts handled their pool play opponents with ease, defeating two senior sides and Marquette by a combined 127-5. The veterans experimented with different roles, and it allowed Winona to open up.
“Lanoira Duhart is usually an offensive giant because no one can cope with her speed or strength,” Krzewinski explained. “Today she was the person around the breakdown, poaching or stripping, and then quickly distributing.
“Lachen Esters is normally a finisher and the most elusive runner on the team,” Krzewinski continued, “but today she sought to create plays for other people, having them score the tries.
“Sam Wilcox threw off the shackles and played a dynamic offensive game today,” the coach said. “Afterward, she said, ‘I just didn’t worry about anything; I just played,' and she turned out to be one of our top try-scorers. She showed more speed than we have previously seen from her.”
The competition picked up in the playoffs, and river city rival UW La Crosse took a 14-10 lead into halftime. Winona rallied with two converted tries in the second half while holding its opponents off the scoreboard for the 24-10 win and berth to the final.
“The final versus the Touring In Training Side, made up of senior level players from Minnesota and Wisconsin, was always going to be exciting,” Krzewinski said. “We knew we had to play our best to beat this side – contesting ball at the tackle and not allowing some key players any time or space.”
Chief among those dangerous players was Grace Hovde, a long-time Midwest Thunderbird and All American. Duhart stepped up her defense to neutralize the tall, strong attacker, while tackle machines Ester and up-and-comer Andrea White kept their side in striking distance.
Flyhalf Katie Dries did her best to keep the quick-ball game flowing, getting the ball to the ever-dangerous Lindsey Bucki and new talent Kalene Hill – two of the fastest players on the team.
With time winding down, Winona trailed by a converted try, but just before the buzzer, Wilcox scored her third try of the game. The ever-sure boot of Dries hit the conversion, and overtime loomed.
“In overtime, we were trying to do too much, but our defense never lost its shape,” Krzewinski remembered. “Duhart stole possession at the breakdown and set up a quick attack that allowed Esters to break through the line and touch down the winning try.”
It was a thrilling end and well deserved victory for the Winona Black Katts, who can now add the Lakefront 7s to their impressive resume of victories.
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