With their first trip to the Nationals held in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the Sacramento State women?s rugby team ended their season with a loss on Saturday to the University of Minnesota and a win to closeout their season against Charleston College on Sunday.

The loss to the Golden Gophers Saturday knocked the Hornets out of National Championship contention.

Playing in one of the toughest rugby unions in the country, the Northern California Rugby Football Union, the Hornets ended their regular season undefeated. They won the first division title and felt ready for this regional tournament.

Since Sac State women?s rugby is a club team, which means they don?t receive funding from the university, they were forced to quickly fundraise to travel to Iowa and possibly Minnesota, site of the National Championships.

In Saturday?s game against Minnesota the Hornets came up short, losing 24-12, and ending their hopes of playing in Minnesota.

“As a whole the team played great,” Hornet coach Josh Deaser said. “Saturday we were a little nervous, and we couldn?t quite settle down and get into our game.”

Most programs this early in existence, especially a club team, aren?t ready for the level of play at the regional tournament.

“This season showed that the Hornets have came a long way in just three years of existence,” Deaser said.

Against the Golden Gophers Cara Padilla, April Cilione, Sanoi Sao, Jen Lytle all converted 5-point tries for the Hornets, while Julie Gustafson converted the kicks..

“This was our first trip to Nationals, so I think the girls were a little nervous, but they settled down and played great.” Deaser said.The Hornets dominated on Sunday, beating Charleston College 19-0.

“The ladies never gave up and fought the whole game Saturday,” Coach Deaser said. “Sunday was different, we played our game and put on a show.”

The Hornets ended their season on a high note by shutting out Charleston. Scorers in Sundays match were Cilione, Padilla, Sao and Lytle again for the second day in a row, while Gustafson converted the Hornets? kicks.

“Everyone at the tournament was commenting on how great our team was and how we should of won Saturday,” Coach Deaser said. ” We should be playing in the National Championship game.”

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