Mar 26- 13th-ranked Arizona hosted #12 Army this past weekend in Tucson, with the 2022 National Champions coming off a victory over Cal and setting the stage for a playoff-like atmosphere at Sitton Field.

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In the first few minutes, it was the Wildcats who would seize the moment, with Wing Jacob Broselle slicing through the Army defense and scoring his first try of the game. A penalty to Army would give the Black Knights a shot at goal and made it 7-3. Taking advantage of an Army turnover, the Wildcats would answer right back, with Matteo Berenger converting a shot at goal deep in the Army 22 to make it 10-3. The back and forth would continue, with Army breaking the Arizona line and scoring from short range to tie the game at 10 at halftime.

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In the second half, All American EJ Freeman would show why he is once again a nominee for national player of the year, going on a 60 meter linebreak that would set up a wave of Wildcats working down the left side. Moving the ball through multiple sets of hands, Antonio Gonzalez's offload to Cameron Blair would put the Hooker through and make it 15-10 Arizona. The energy at Sitton Field would move up another level soon after, with Blair's linebreak this time setting up Broselle for his second score, making it 20-10 in the 60th minute. The Wildcats would knock on the door once more, with Berenger's shot at goal making it 23-10 with less than ten minutes to go. Army would not back down, however, taking advantage of a Wildcat penalty and putting together multiple phases in the 22, ultimately scoring with minutes left to make it 23-17 late, but it was just enough for Arizona, as they battled the clock and kept ball in hand for the final two minutes and sealed a huge win for the program in its 55th season. 

 

"This was a special win, especially for our seniors who we honored today. Army is a great program, and they played hard and made us work for everything. But I'm just incredibly proud of the way our guys stuck to it, executed the game plan, and didn't blink when things got tough" said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy. 

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The win over Army helps the Wildcats' overall resume for the postseason, as it was announced just yesterday that they will travel to Ellensburg for a rematch with Central Washington. Having fallen 19-17 to CWU last month, the atmosphere should be a great one as D1A playoffs get underway.

 

For the Wildcats full schedule click here.

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SCORING vs ARMY

Tries: Broselle (2), Blair

Conversions: Berenger- 1/3

Penalties: Berenger- 2/3

 

1st XV vs ARMY

1. Seamus McCarthy

2. Cameron Blair

3. Dalton Slaughter

4. Jack Brown- C

5. Joey Lewis

6. Andreas Andersson

7. Abe Turpen

8. Jack Bresland

9. George O'Brien

10. Will Rohrsheim

11. Antonio Gonzalez

12. EJ Freeman

13. Mattox King

14. Jacob Broselle- VC

15. Matteo Berenger

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16- Tucker Johnstone

17- Caeden Chase

18- Aidan Hendry

19- Kent Gamble

20- Troy Norman

21- Jacob Hall

22- Charley Redknapp

23- Ted Champion

24- Caeden Chase

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