The Hillsdale club rugby team finished its season 7-1 after the team won the Men’s National Collegiate Rugby Midwest Small College Championship 62-12 Nov. 18.

Amidst anticipation for the upcoming challenge, uncertainties persisted regarding player availability which would be especially crucial as the team faced the undefeated Winona State University.

“There were still a lot of questions about who would be available for selection, what our squad was, and how our team was going to perform,” senior team captain and tight-head prop Noah Parlee said. 

Upon arrival in St. Louis, the squad was accommodated in a comfortable hotel, courtesy of the National Collegiate Rugby League. 

 “We were really excited,” said freshman scrum-half Noah Marl “We had all just driven seven hours on a team bus. We were the underdogs, ready to beat a team that was undefeated and hailed from Minnesota, sounding like Vikings playing rugby. Many of us felt a mix of nerves and excitement.”

Marl said the team’s main strategy was to get the ball out wide and run around the large opponents. 

“Our wings and centers, including Kellen Pollock and Luke Burmeister, were significantly faster, allowing us to dominate,” Marl said.

Junior hooker Brendan Henzel said junior head coach Rob Brandau told the team to put up 50 points on Winona which sounded daunting. 

“This was our first time in the league,” Henzel said. “We expected to get beaten.” 

However, Hillsdale’s first run set a powerful pace, resulting in several early tries by freshman left-winger Luke Burmeister, senior loose-head prop Ben Hinrichs, sophomore full-back Judah Newsom, and sophomore right-winger Kellan Pollack.

“About halfway through the first quarter, they just stepped it up somehow,” Henzel said. “They kept hitting us so hard, nonstop. They had us within five yards of our touchdown line for almost 10 minutes.” 

Despite the intense pressure, sophomore fly-half Elijah Pangrazio was finally able to strip the ball from a defender. 

“We needed to force something to make a big stop,” Parlee said. “He got a turnover, really took the wind out of their sails, and then we were able to capitalize on that.” 

Parlee said Hillsdale worked harder than the opponents. 

“At the end of the day, we dominated and wore them down in 80 minutes,” Parlee said. “The team’s relentless efforts paid off, culminating in a decisive victory against the formidable opponent.”

Following the game, the National Collegiate Rugby Small College Commissioner recommended Pollock for All-Stars.

Parlee said after celebrating the win with ice cream, the team discovered someone had robbed their bus.

“Someone’s backpack was up in the front where they didn’t leave it, and as we took a closer look, we realized everything was gone,” Parlee said. “The door malfunctioned and didn’t close properly. As a result, someone was able to break in and steal thousands of dollars in electronics… and bagpipes.”

Parlee said sophomore open-side flanker Israel Meyers’ bagpipes were stolen, which he plays before each game. 

“We sat in the parking lot for a while filing police reports, trying to get a log of what was taken,” Marl said. “It was a 12-hour traveling session from the end of the game to getting back to Hillsdale, including the robbery.”

Parlee said the college was supportive of the team. 

“The college is going to be helping us out significantly,” Parlee said. “Chief and Director of Campus Recreation and Club Sports Ryan Perkins have been very helpful, as well as the college legal team.” 

Henzel said on the trip down to St. Louis, Chief wanted to stop for Popeyes. 

“He came out and announced they were closing and giving out free chicken, so the whole team —  about 20 dudes — got free chicken,” Henzel said. “That was a God-send.”

Overall, Henzel said everyone on the team played their best games.  

“That’s what we needed to win the game,” Henzel said.