Mar 12- The Wildcats took on Army in New York this past weekend in a playoff-like atmosphere for both sides, with 9th-ranked Arizona looking to build on the momentum and continue their growth.

 

Arizona would be aiming for a strong opening statement but it was the hosts who would start well, with the Black Knights taking advantage of a penalty and capitalizing in the 22 to make it 5-0 in the 7th minute. The Wildcats would start to click on and adjust to the early kickoff, working into the opposing 22 before Scrumhalf Jacob Hall found Nick Morgan on the right wing for a lovely cutout pass, with the first-year winger touching down for his fourth try in three games to make it 7-5. A botched restart and a disciplined multiphase sequence in the Wildcats half would result in another Army try, making it 12-7. The Black Knights would take advantage of another Arizona mistake, gathering a kick to make it 19-7 just before half.

 

The second half would feature what has many in and around the program excited for what's to come, with the Wildcats outscoring Army 12-7 thanks to improved defense and tactical adjustments. An early try by the Black Knights on controversial obstruction would make it 24-7, but Center Mattox King would break the line in the 54th minute to respond and make it 24-14. The Arizona reserves made another huge impact, with Center Sintu Mjali coming on and helping Flyhalf Saxon Gerstl run the Wildcat attack. A linebreak and long-range cutout pass from Gerstl would set up reserve Antonio Gonzalez for a try with just under five minutes left, making it 24-19. The Wildcats would then secure a turnover, with reserve Aston Gradwick-Light winning a penalty and giving Arizona the ball on halfway with little time to go. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, it was too little too late, as strong Army defense forced a turnover and sealing the game. 

 

"First off a credit to Army for the win and for being tremendous hosts. We were inaccurate for a lot of the match, but started to really switch on and the impact of the bench was a huge reason for that. We had chances to win it, but our goal with a game like this was to play a game that will mimic the postseason and we did that. We get better by playing a challenging schedule like this in a year where anyone can beat anyone" said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.

 

Arizona has a bye this week before traveling to Central Washington March 22nd to conclude the regular season.​

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For the Wildcats full schedule, click here.​​​​​​

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Scoring vs Army

Tries: 3- Morgan, King, Gonzalez

Conversions: Berenger- 2/3

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1st XV vs Army

​​1- Isaac Morrill

2- Cameron Blair- C

3- Dalton Slaughter

4- Harry Hobson

5- Jack Bresland

6- Troy Norman

7- Tanner DeMassa

8- Aiden Kemp

9- Jacob Hall

10- Saxon Gerstl

11- Jake Schumacher

12- Ted Champion

13- Mattox King

14- Nick Morgan

15- Matteo Berenger- VC
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16- Aston Gradwick-Light

17- Tucker Johnstone

18- Seamus McCarthy

19- Jacob Jaffe

20- Henry Langrish

21- Lucas Smith

22- Sintu Mjali

23- Antonio Gonzalez

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Scoring vs Army 2nd XV

L 51-26

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2nd XV vs Army 2nd XV

1- Tucker Johnstone

2- Carter Hertstein

3- Marcus Harris

4- Pac Smiley

5- Kai Moananu-Apela

6- Jacob Jaffe- VC

7- Kent Gamble

8- Sean McNutly

9- Declan Postin

10- Will Rohrsheim

11- Jackson Kutcher

12- PJ Enegren

13- Brody Johnson

14- Emmanuel Magutakuona

15- Connor McCormick

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16- Logan Able

17- Dominic Zapata

18- Matt Grau

19- Henry Kliavkoff

20- Braedon Butte

21- Evan Cram

22- Ben Herbes

23- Tom Manning

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