STRONG START FOR WILDCATS
Braedon Butte and the Wildcats jumped to a large lead in their opener in El Paso.
Sept 25- The Wildcats got their Fall season underway on Saturday in El Paso, taking on UTEP in a three-period friendly as Arizona got their first look at the team against real opposition. With a side made up of predominantly Freshmen, the visitors would need to start well on the road against the new D1AA side.
Taking the message and helping lead the attack was Flyhalf Saxon Gerstl, with the Sydney native scoring in the first minute followed by a Jake Schumacher try soon after to help the Wildcats jump to a 14-0 lead. A stolen lineout and quick hands would put Wing Emmaneul Magutakuona into the try zone, and a well-placed Gerstl kick on the next possession would give the Zimbabwean two tries in a five minute span. Fullback Parker Beilke would make his presence felt in the following minutes, touching down twice before a well-worked maul by the forwards put Aidan McCarthy into the try zone and make it 52-0. Arizona would end the period with a try set up by Number Eight Sean McNulty, putting Prop Logan Able through a gap to make it 59-0 just thirty minutes in.
In the second period, Schumacher would touch down once more as the Wildcats rotated through 31 athletes in a game that was worthwhile for both sides as they begin the year. Standouts in the latter periods included Brendan Doebel (two tries) and Center Tom Manning, who converted six conversions and scored two of his own to help secure the comprehensive victory for the Wildcats.
"We are first off thankful to UTEP who have exciting new leadership and were tremendous hosts. They will get better and I give them a lot of credit. Playing D1 rugby is tough, and UTEP provides a great possible partner in future seasons for scrimmages and games. I'm ecstatic that we hit our goals of playing fast and playing for each other. We have a lot of talent in the freshmen class and I also want to point out veterans like Lucas Holton, Aidan McCarthy, and Logan Able who provided some leadership and put in good performances of their own in support of Sintu Mjali and Braedon Butte the captains on the weekend" said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.
Arizona has a bye this coming week before traveling to Albuquerque to take on New Mexico in their second match of the Fall.
For the Wildcats full Fall schedule, click here.
Arizona 113-0 UTEP
Tries: 17- Schumacher (2), Magutakuona (2), Beilke (2), Doebel (2), Manning (2), Gerstl, A. McCarthy, Hampton, Able, Johnson, McNulty, pen try
Conversions: Gerstl- 7/9, Manning- 6/6, McIsaac- 0/1