A federal judge has denied Quinnipiac University women’s rugby players a federal injunction to reinstate the team’s Division I status, per WTNH. 

After the university’s decision in April to demote the team’s status, 23 current and incoming players filed a lawsuit alleging Title IX violations and retaliation. 

The announcement by the university also included the decision to add a men’s indoor and outdoor distance program. 

In late June two players, rising junior Regan Perez and rising sophomore Carolyn Melody, testified in court, as well as head coach Becky Carlson and Quinnipiac Athletic Director Greg Amodio.

The preliminary injunction was denied because “the women were unable to meet their burden of ‘likely success on the merits of their claims,’ or making a fair ground for litigation on the issue,” according to WTNH. 

But the fight is not over. 

The lawsuit still moves forward as the judge did not yet decide whether university violated Title IX or unlawfully retaliated, per the savequinnipiacrugby Instagram. 

“(The judge) ordered the case to move forward on an expedited schedule with the goal of reaching trial as quickly as possible,” savequinnipiacrugby wrote.