After a long season, and a seemingly longer bus ride, the Wildcats arrived in Rochester, Minn., for a weekend of games to see if the chance at another national title would be in their future.

The games played in an attempt to win the Northern Lights Conference, can be illustrated only as war and the Wayne State ruggers as the soldiers who left everything they had on the battle field.

Saturday opened for the ‘Cats with frost on the ground and fire in their hearts.

It took WSC a second to shake the chill from their claws, but before the second half the lead had been taken by Wayne State. That momentum would carry them throughout the full 80 minutes of play time and to victory with a final score of 37-12 over St. Benedict.

The second game awaited the Wildcats on Sunday, and each rugger had held the upcoming opponent in the back of their mind all season. Wayne State would be taking on Moorhead; the last obstacle between the Elite Eight and the Final Four, and the only defeat the Wildcats had suffered this season. Every second spent sweating in practice had been for Sunday’s game.

WSC came out strong and took an early lead, but Moorhead was quick to respond, leaving the halftime score at 15-8. The last 40 minutes were grueling, both teams in an evenly-matched stalemate. Each put one more score on the board before the clock finished and the ‘Cats were left inches away from victory. At the final whistle, the scoreboard read 22-13 and the Lady Cats’ season came to a painfully quick close.

As tough of a loss as this is for Wayne State, they will be back for another shot soon.

The 7s season will begin for them soon and with it will be the chance to lace up their cleats once more and try their hand at another national title.