Wildcats Go Down to the Wire with Cal

WILDCATS TAKE CAL TO FINAL WHISTLE

#4 CAL 57
#10 ARIZONA 51

Jake Schumacher and the Wildcats combined with Cal to put on a showcase of College Rugby at Sitton Field on Saturday. (Photo credits: Tyler Horton)

Feb 17- #10 Arizona hosted #3 Cal at Sitton Field in a thrilling matchup that many are calling a candidate for College Match of the Year. Despite a six-point loss, the Wildcats showed flashes of brilliance throughout.

The Wildcats struck early. Center Nick Morgan scored the first of his three tries, followed by another just minutes later off a precise pass from Flyhalf Saxon Gerstl, giving Arizona a 10-7 lead. A Gerstl penalty and a Morgan linebreak with support from Wing Jake Schumacher extended the advantage to 20-7 within the first 21 minutes. Cal answered with two late tries, closing the first half at 24-20.

The second half was a back-and-forth battle, with Arizona punching back to answer scores from the visiting side. Braedon Butte made a key linebreak, and with support from Scrumhalf Connor McIsaac and Gerstl, set up Morgan’s third try (31-27). Lock Chris Grosse and Henry Langrish added tries, keeping the score close at 43-39. Later scores from Aiden Kemp and Gerstl brought Arizona within striking distance, with an Arizona score in the 79th minute leaving time for a restart. The ensuing kickoff would go into touch on the full, giving Arizona a final chance at snagging a win in front of a loud Sitton Field crowd. Unfortunately for the Wildcats it was not to be, with the last pass of the match ruled forward to end it.

“We had our chances and are disappointed in the result, but not in the process. The boys matched the physicality and stuck to our game plan. If we continue to focus on our development, results like this will take care of themselves,” said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy.

Arizona will enjoy a bye week before hosting UCLA for a doubleheader at Sitton Field on February 28.

Arizona's full schedule can be found here.

Scoring vs Cal

Tries: Morgan (3), Schumacher, Grosse, Langrish. Ai. Kemp, Gerstl

Conv: Gerstl- 4/7

Pen: Gerstl- 1/2

Arizona vs Cal