Last minute decisions have rearranged the rest of the season for all the rugby teams in Eastern’s conference. Saturday’s game against the University of Miami (OH) has been canceled in favor of an elimination game against Ohio State University 11 a.m. Sunday at Lakeside Rugby Field.

The Panther’s (2-3) are seeded fourth for the regional playoffs, their lowest seed since head coach Frank Graziano took over the team. As the fourth-ranked team, the Panthers can have their spot challenged before the playoffs begin. Ohio State has issued the challenge.

Graziano had the option of not playing Ohio State and agreeing to play Miami, but with this new playoff format, the game against the Redhawks would have been the Panther’s last game of the season.

“I had the chance to not play OSU and to play Miami but … it would have been like throwing in the towel,” Graziano said.

The possibility of being eliminated is a new position for the Panthers, and Graziano said he wants his team to be completely ready for the all-important contest this weekend.

“I’m not here to scare you,” Graziano said to his team. “I want to do everything to prepare for this game.”

The women’s rugby club from Ohio State is coming off a big 67-0 win against the club from Indiana University. The Panthers also just defeated the Hoosiers but with a margin of victory not as high. Eastern won 37-0.

“Don’t worry about the points,” Graziano said. ” If we can score 37 points against [Indiana] in the rain, we can can score 67 on a dry field, too.”

If the Panthers defeat the Buckeyes, they will have a postseason showdown with the women from Marquette University on Oct. 28 in Wisconsin.