This past weekend, the Wayne State men’s rugby club traveled to Arkansas for the Elite Eight tournament with gold in their eyes and no fear in their hearts.

It was not the result that the Wayne State men were looking for, however, as they fell to John Brown University 38-21 in their last attempt to continue the season.

The club had been working all season with this weekend in mind and finally, it was here.

The two-day tournament set our Wildcats up against John Brown University on Saturday.

The Wildcats came out roaring, with a score in the first few minutes of the game by senior Taylor Helton.

That momentum would carry them through the half, leaving the score at 16-14 at halftime due to a try by WSC just moments before.

The second half was a stalemate for the ruggers until the last 10 minutes, when John Brown University pulled off not one but two more tries before the close of the game.

The final score resting at 38-21.

Senior’s Eric Harvey and Taylor Helton are sad to be finished with the season, but find some relief in how the game was played.

“We were in it until the last 10 minutes, then they scored twice, and we were gassed,” Helton said

“It was really difficult, knowing we all wanted it for each other going into the game, for this to be the outcome,” Harvey said.

“But everyone was doing their job. I couldn’t ask anything more from the guys,” Helton said. “We came up short, but not in heart.”

Sunday, the Wildcats played SDSU in a consolation match.

As the 15s season comes to a close the Cats may be down, but they’re not out.

They still have a chance at playing in the 7s league tournament and that, alongside their awe-worthy effort in the 15s tournament, is enough of a silver lining for them.

This weekend the Lady Wildcats will be traveling to Rochester, Minn., for their own Elite Eight tournament, hoping for different results than their male counterparts.