The ISU women’s rugby club lost Saturday to annual powerhouse, the University of Northern Iowa, 33-7, to finish the regular season.

The seesaw possession battle brought the Cyclones near the try zone often, but they were unable to finish the drives.

“They had a lot of fire,” said UNI coach Jennifer Murra. “It just happened that we got the scores.”

UNI junior forward Kassandra Drey struck early in the first half, scoring on an end around. After the missed conversion kick, UNI sophomore flanker Kayla Soliday soon followed with another try.

With the completed conversion, the Panthers held a 12-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Soliday scored again early to give the Panthers a 19-point lead.

The Cyclones then found some running room as junior inside center Amanda Rolling scored Iowa State’s only try. After a conversion by senior kicker Ashley Cleveland, there were seven points on the board for Iowa State.

UNI senior center Ashley Mulford added the two final tries to seal the game.

Kicking for four UNI conversions was sophomore Katie White.

Tackling problems and a lack of experience led to the loss, said ISU coach Sara Hillebrand.

“We wasted a lot of energy,” Hillebrand said. “If we had tackled the first time, we wouldn’t have to try to tackle five more times.”

Upcoming practices will focus on mental toughness, as well as tackling.

Although the team was plagued with “little mistakes,” Rolling said members should be proud to have stuck with the Panthers as well as they did.

Since the team’s founding in 1994, UNI rugby has had a successful program.

The game against Northern Iowa is always the toughest, said senior scrum-half Julie Freese.

With the win, the undefeated Panthers are guaranteed a spot in the final four at the Division 1 collegiate tournament in Columbus, Ohio. Last year, Northern Iowa finished second in the tournament, losing to Ohio State University.

Iowa State’s loss came after last week’s 66-0 victory against St. Cloud State University. League play for the Cyclones consists of these two teams. One victory in league play guarantees a postseason berth.

Iowa State’s postseason will be at the Division 2 collegiate tournament Oct. 28 and 29. Upcoming game outcomes will determine the site of the tournament.