The Wisconsin rugby team returned from the Division II National College Championships this weekend after reaching heights no other Badger rugby team has, but they still felt unsatisfied.
By beating Miami (Ohio) 14-12 on Friday, they became the most successful rugby team in the university's history and earned a spot in the national championship game against the 2007 champions, Middlebury. But the Panthers were too much for the Badgers and concluded their perfect season with the national title.
Wisconsin entered the match against Miami, which was nicknamed the ""Midwest Championship Rematch"" by UW captain Sean Beuche, with a chip on their shoulders. After losing to the RedHawks 24-0 last fall, this was their opportunity for revenge.
""We came out knowing their game plan but also just ready to play our own game, and some great kicking by Webster Schelble helped us put some points on the board,"" Beuche said. ""A 14-12 victory is rather close on paper, but it felt like we owned the game the whole time.""
Schelble became Wisconsin's key to victory by kicking three penalties. The only try in the game came five minutes into the second half and was all the Badgers needed to win.
In Saturday's championship match, however, the Badgers' nerves showed up.
Middlebury's experience and the Badgers' lack of it resulted in a lopsided first half. Wisconsin senior flanker Ryan Funderburk was impressed with the environment but also aware of the Badgers' anxiety.
""The championship game against Middlebury had an incredible atmosphere,"" Funderburk said. ""The field was immaculate, and there were lots of fans in the stands, which always adds to the excitement of everything. At the end of the first half we were down 20-3. Some guys may have had the jitters because it was such an important game.""
Middlebury's athletic ability and fluid ball movement added up to be too much for the Badgers. After Schelble's second penalty of the match the, deficit was down to 14, and then Wisconsin wing Ben Knight scored a try, putting some pressure on Middlebury. It looked like the Badgers had clawed even closer, but a controversial call kept points off the board. Shortly after, the Panthers scored and put the game away.
""They play rugby very well and have a ton of speed,"" player and president Quentin Reuter said. ""Our coaches are so great. I can normally say that while we might not be the biggest or the fastest, we normally always play the game at a higher level, but on Saturday that just wasn't the case.""
With a final score of 27-11, Wisconsin's season ended, but the team took pride in going farther than any previous Badger team and look forward to doing even better next year.
""Being such a successful team, especially coming from relative obscurity as the 16th seed at nationals, is a very cool feeling,"" Funderburk said. ""But we're not finished yet. We surprised a lot of people this year, and next year we plan on doing it all again, only this time as No. 1 in the country.""
