Feb 26- Arizona resumed PAC conference play this weekend as they traveled to Tempe to take on Arizona State. The match was a key one, with conference victories vital to the Wildcats' push for a D1A playoff berth heating up.

 

Despite some strong attack, it was the Sun Devils who got off on the right foot, with two early penalties giving the hosts a 6-0 lead at Arizona State University Soccer Stadium. A Luke Thayer penalty in the 30th minute cut the lead in half before some great phaseplay and a Jack San Pietro finish gave the Wildcats a 10-6 lead going in to halftime.

 

An ASU try to start the second stanza was responded to by Flanker Ryan Fitzpatrick, with the Sophomore's score and two Thayer penalties making it 23-13 as the Cats started to pull away. The Sun Devils battled back to make it 23-20, then take a brief lead at 25-23 with ten minuts to go. It was then that the Wildcats bench made their presence felt, with Hooker Zach Biggs, Flanker Ben Scoular, and Wing Dante Weeks coming on and picking the tempo up at a crucial time. A Weeks linebreak with Scoular in support led to a Matt Rogers try to make it 28-25, while Biggs' workrate and support helped set up the final stretch, with Weeks intercepting a pass and going the distance to make it 35-25.

 

"I was really proud of our guys and the way they handled adversity" said Head Coach Sean Duffy "especially proud of our bench, with guys coming on in reserve roles and giving us that extra burst to see this thing home. Luke Thayer was really on the money with the foot as well, showing great composure for a Freshman. On to Air Force in Vegas next week." The Wildcats will take on #16 Air Force at the Las Vegas Invitational next Saturday, with key playoff implications looming for both sides.

 

 

SCORING

Tries: San Pietro, Fitzpatrick, Rogers, Weeks

Conversions: Thayer- 3/4

Penalties: Thayer- 3/3