The Wayne State College men's rugby team finished their fall season as the National Collegiate Rugby Small College Division national runner ups for a second year in a row.  The team finished 16-1 overall, shutting out three teams and holding five other teams to one score.  The Wildcats outscored their competition 849 to 154. 

In their first match down in Houston, TX, the Wayne State took on #6 Catholic University in the semifinal. In a hard hitting contest, ridden with injuries to the 'Cats, the team emerged victorious, winning 25-12.  In the 10th minute of the match, the Catholic Cardinals committed a penalty which turned into points for Vuyo Mdlalose and the Wildcats off a penalty kick.  WSC leads 3-0. In the 21st minute, the Cardinals again committed a penalty which led to a missed penalty kick for the 'Cats.  However, the Wildcats forced a turnover and TD Letsoalo scored a try in the 24th minute, conversion was no good by Mdlalose, and the Wildcats go up 8-0.  In the first three minutes of the second half (43rd minute), the Wildcats marched down the pitch and Seth Vallance scored a try.  Conversion kick by Mdlalose is good.  Wayne State extends their lead 15-0. The Cardinals strike back and put their first points on the board with a hard run in the 48th minute and the conversion kick was good. WSC leads 15-7 with 22 minutes left in the match. Ten minutes later, the Wildcats score again, this time by Colin Nqandela. Conversion is no good and WSC leads 20-7. Jayden James found paydirt in the 71st minute for the 'Cats.  The Wildcats extended their lead 25-7.  In the final minute of the game, the Cardinals scored.  After the missed conversion kick, the final whistle blew and Wayne State advanced to the championship match with a win over Catholic University 25-12.  

Wayne State faced off against #3 Cal Poly Humboldt for the hopes to win the National Championship. The Lumberjacks took down #5 Endicott College in their semifinal 41-28. Houston landed under 2 inches of rainfall the morning of the championship match, leaving the field conditions mucky and wet. This favored well for the Lumberjacks as they were a team who keeps the ball tight with their forwards.  In the 5th minute of the match, Humboldt strikes first, barreling down the field and using their forwards effectively to gain ground. Again, in the 21st minute, the Lumberjacks scored and slotted their conversion kick to go up 0-12.  In the 37th minute, the Wildcats commit a penalty which led to the final points of the first half, a penalty kick from 20 meters out. Halftime score was 0-15 in favor of the Lumberjacks. To make matter worse for the cornered Wildcats, a player was red carded for a high tackle in the 51st minute of the game, effectively making the rest of the contest 14v15. However, the 'Cats respond, putting points up on the board in the 56th minute with a Mdlalose penalty kick after a Lumberjack penalty. Wayne State now trails 3-15. Humboldt responds with a try in the 60th minute.  The Wildcats, with under 15 minutes remaining in the game around, score their first try of the match off great linebreak ran by James, his second score of the weekend. Conversion kick by Mdlalose was good.  WSC trails 10-20.  With under one minute to go, the Wildcats punch one more try in by Braxton Rivers, cutting the lead in half with one restart to go. Unfortunately, the Wildcat committed a penalty in the final play, eliminating their comeback hope. Final score 15-20 in favor of the Lumber Jacks of Cal Poly Humboldt, the 2022 national champions.

The Wildcat men will compete in 7's this upcoming spring.