Defeat was not an option for the UW-Platteville men’s rugby team during their fall season. The ruggers tore up the field and took first in the state championship after an undefeated season.

“We strive each year to better our last season,” Michael Helmrick, senior hooker, said. “After getting beat in state playoffs last year and denied the opportunity to go to Midwest playoffs we were determined to make it this season.”

The only time this season the Pioneers were slowed down came against their match against Northern Michigan on Oct. 18. In the first half of the match against the Wildcats, UW-P was down 12-11.  The Wildcats had a strong forward-centered offense that caused the offense to step it up in the second half.

“In the state playoffs we had to make some changes and we had to step up offensively,” Ben Trilling, back captain, said. “That’s the only close game the team played and it was good for us to see going into [the playoffs].”

Trilling said the game proved to the men that as long as they stayed focused on their lines and plays during the game, they could still manage to come from behind and defeat a strong opponent.

The team faced a challenge at the beginning of the semester from losing their fly half among the graduating seniors, Helmrick said. The newer members were given the opportunity to try new positions and gain more playing time on the field.

“Overall we have had one of our best teams out of past seasons due to the amount of returning players and familiarity of each player’s strengths and weaknesses,” Helmrick said.

Coming off a winning season, the Pioneers placed a bid to host the first round of the Midwest Playoffs.  UW-P won the bid over the Twin Cities, and Round 1 will be played on the rugby pitch at Memorial Park and Miners Field Oct 31- Nov. 1.

The Midwest Board bases their decision off of the quality of the pitches, and the availability of trainers, hotels, hospital and dining options in the town.

“It’s a big leap for us, and even for all the businesses in town, to get an auto bid into the Midwest Playoffs and hosting” Trilling said. “This proves to other teams to start taking us into consideration.”

The team will stick to their working plays and positions in preparation for the first round of playoffs.

“We’ll stick to our guts, it’s been working for us,” Santino Zizzo, senior forward captain said.

The Pioneer ruggers will face off against Northwestern in the opening game of the Playoffs at 1:30 p.m. on the main rugby pitch. UW-La Crosse will take on the University of Iowa at the same time on Miner’s Field. The men’s Quarterfinal will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1 between the winning teams.

UW-P will also host the women’s first round playoffs during the weekend. The first match up will see Illinois State University against Gustavus Adolphus University at 11 a.m. at Memorial Park and UW-La Crosse against Northern Illinois University at the same time on Miners Field.