Utah Recap 2020

HUTCHINGS' five-try debut sparks cats' win

Will McCausland and fellow Freshmen Sol Hutchings combined for eight tries in their debut against the Utes. (Photo credits: Alex Ho)

Mar 3- The past, present, and future of Arizona Rugby was on full display on Saturday at Sitton Field as the 14th-ranked Wildcats were able to push by Utah at Sitton Field.

The match was the centerpiece of the 51st Anniversary Weekend, with scores of alumni returning to the Old Pueblo and the induction of Ryan Kelly and Bill Clements in the Arizona Rugby Hall of Fame. On the field, the clash with the Utes was the final regular season home match for their eight Seniors, with each set to move on from Tucson following May's graduation. On this day, however, the Wildcats' future would be the showcase, as a number of changes to the lineup led to an offensive explosion, spearheaded by the duo of Solomon Hutchings and Will McCausland, who combined for eight tries. Hutchings, a standout Fullback from Wales, ties Dante Weeks' Freshman record with five scores in the game. Sophomore Mason Phillips also touched down multiple times, scoring in the 34th and 70th minutes in a reserve role while Flyhalf Lucas Agasse's 27 points helped Arizona to a strong lead they would not relinquish.

For the Wildcats, the true team effort was started by the halfback combo of Ethan Russell and Agasse, with the pair eager to show their skills after strong weeks of training in February. Seniors made their presence felt before exiting to cheers, as Captain Bronson Teles, Vice Captain Lucas Bartzis, and Center Louie MacLaughlin each touched down in the 107-0 victory over the Utes.

Arizona closes February and heads in to Spring Break in a great position after emerging from the first stretch of the season at 4-2 and in place for a stretch run in to the playoffs to fight for a national championship. "Incredibly thankful, first to Utah for 80 minutes of effort in a scoreline that flatters us more than it should. Thankful to our alumni for their support, and their presence in showing our current team the way. Thankful to our fans and our cheerleaders, it was a special atmosphere. And thankful to our seniors for their years of dedication to the program, helping us continue to build towards our goal of being the best program in the nation" said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy. "Not shocked by the debut performances, guys like Lucas, Sol, and Will are just a few of the many that put in so much work and want to put their hands up for more time this year, let alone in future seasons." The Wildcats now shift focus to a March 28th clash in Provo against #7 BYU to close out their regular season before hopefully securing another run in the D1A Playoffs.

Arizona 107-0 Utah

Tries: 17- Hutchings (5), McCausland (3), Phillips (2), Agasse, Bartzis, Teles, Kerr, Weiner, MacLaughlin, Green

Conv: Agasse- 11/17

Lineup vs Utah

1- Ryan Thompson

2- Gabe Coray-Dozier

3- Raymond Weiner

4- Daniel Hagan

5- James Rivers

6- Bronson Teles (C)

7- Ben Scoular

8- Riley Kerr