“It was the best game all year. We left everything on the field,” said Emily Kern, senior co-captain and animal science major. “It was the most fast-paced game of [the] season.”

The women ruggers went into halftime of their playoff game up a score, but UW-O kept the second half close and eventually took the lead late in the game. The Pioneers failed to convert a penalty kick to take the lead and UW-O held on for the win.

“Everyone was exhausted at the end of the game. It was rough in the final minutes,” said Joelle White, senior co-captain and biology major.

The Pioneer women attributed their success this season to a new dedication to conditioning and continuous work on tactics to improve their game.

“We were in a lot better shape this year,” said Kern. “We had an experienced back line and started playing ‘don’t go down rugby,’ where we just keep dishing the ball. Our kicking game also improved this year.”

The women’s rugby club looks forward to their spring season to carry over the success they earned in the fall.

Carey Petri, senior physical education major, would like to make future winning seasons an expectation.

“We want to continue with our progress, pass down our knowledge and information to younger players and keep recruiting to keep our tradition going.”

But those are not the stats that stick out. Sophomore receiver-turned-workhouse-back Lee Vlasak made his first start at running back. Vlasak increased his career carries in a game from one to 33 and became just the sixth player in WIAC history to run for five touchdowns on the ground, contributing all of UW-Platteville’s points on offense besides the extra points.

The move by the Pioneer coaching staff was one of simple mathematics, and not so much game planning.

“Our thinking was how can we get [Vlasak] more touches and make us better as a team,” said offensive coordinator Ryan Munz. “Easiest way to do that is put him at running back and hand him the ball.”

Vlasak, who starred at running back at Pecatonica-Argyle high school, ran for four touchdowns in the first half and added another to begin the second half. He finished with 114 yards on the ground and also caught four passes for 91 yards.

Vlasak provided a versatile and driven presence for an offense that only generated one score against UW-Whitewater and their solid front seven.

“The line played well, no sacks,” Munz said. “I think it clicked for them. They are understanding the system and we used play-action to slow the defense down.”

Munz hopes that the Homecoming win is a sign of things to come, as players are developing and contributing to their specific roles.
“Nick Anderson is really coming into his own,” Munz said. “He did a great job understanding the situation, slowing down and managing the game.”

Sophomore quarterback Nick Anderson threw for 200 yards and senior receiver Joe Burkeland added 59 yards on six catches to pace the Pioneers’ supporting cast.

The Pioneer defense held firm in holding quarterback Austin Neu to 152 yards through the air and sacking him five times in the process. Sophomore defensive lineman Corey Marks and junior linebacker Jesse Lindemulder each registered two sacks, and freshman defensive lineman Alex Schaefer added another.

Both teams are now 3-2 on the year and 1-1 in WIAC play. The Pioneers head out of town to UW-La Crosse on Saturday, Oct. 16, that game starts a two-game road trip in conference play which will be a big factor on the Pioneers’ playoff hopes.

“If we can put together two to three wins in these upcoming conference games, then we [will] have to be happy with where we [are] sitting,” Munz said.

In an ironic twist, the chancellor’s team was coached by head softball coach Heather Townsend, who led the team to victory over her Pioneer softball team,which was led by assistant coaches Dave Jones and Andy Busch.

“The game went in streaks,” said Townsend. “The Pioneer softball team [would get hot] and then the chancellor’s team would heat up.”
The chancellor’s team was made up of about 30 players who rotated every inning. While the women’s softball team was made up of only UW-Platteville softball student athletes, the chancellor’s team was made up of faculty and current UW-P students.

Tim Zauche, department chair of chemistry and engineering physics, took part in the softball challenge and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“It was fun trash talking students of mine that are currently on the Pioneer softball team,” Zauche said. “I support what they do, and they know we support their education.”

The game was open to all student athletes who were interested in playing. Senior communication technologies major Joseph Schoettler said it was fun playing with those different skill levels.

Those who played also had differing opinions of their personal highlights.

“Mine was hitting a home run against the girls softball team,” Schoettler said. “It was in the park but it was still good.”

Zauche was glad to see his team wrap up a close game and earn the trophy, but also just enjoyed the experience.

“[There] was no tension. Everyone was fun and supportive.”

Coming into the year both teams are ranked in the Midwest. The UW-P men are ranked third in the Midwest region while the UW-P women are ranked ninth.

The Pioneer men are also ranked seventh in the national preseason poll, coming off their best finish at nationals, a ninth place showing in 2009 and the highest in the WIAC.

“I think it’s a great place to start the season,” senior electric engineering major, Jason Garvens said. “It’s always nice to have other people think highly of our team, but we are well aware that rankings mean nothing compared to our actual performances over the next couple months.”

Garvens and fellow senior Patrick Klein are both coming off D-III national appearances where Garvens placed 5th and earned an All-American title, Klein finished 56th, respectively.

The Pioneer men return eight letter winners while the women return nine.

The Pioneer women, led by senior elemtary education major Alli Tank, who placed 28th at regional’s and earned an All-Region nod, will look to improve on their fifth place finish in the WIAC.

“I am really excited that our team is ranked ninth in the regional, although I hope that we can do even better than that,” Tank said.
“We have a really fun and hardworking group of women that, I believe, will be able to do well in the meets that count.”

The Alumni/Open meet serves as a warm up to the year before both teams head to Whitewater for the Warhawk Invite on Saturday, Sept. 18.
“The alumni meet went just as expected for me. Patrick (Klein) and I ran at the front leading the team,” Garvens said.

Tank looked at the overall showing of the women at the Alumni meet.

“Alumni was a lot of fun,” Tank said. “Our women had a good showing and will continue to improve throughout the season.”
While both teams are looking to improve on last seasons performances, Garvens looks to help bring home a trophy this fall by placing in the top four at nationals. He also shared head coach Tom Antczak’s expectations for this year.

“Coach Antczak knows the talent he has on the squad this year and he is very excited at the potential that is here,” Garvens said. “He agrees with the teams goals and is looking forward to a successful season.”