Second-Half Surge Sends Arizona to Quarterfinals

SECOND HALF SURGE SENDS ARIZONA TO QUARTERFINAl

Ethan Heim and the Wildcats defended home field in front of a loud playoff atmosphere at Sitton Field. (Photo credits: Josh Pearson)

Apr 13- Arizona hosted Grand Canyon on Saturday in the first round of the 2026 D1A postseason, with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line at Sitton Field. Entering as the No. 3 seed, the Wildcats looked to defend home turf and punch their ticket but would need an 80-minute effort to do it. They got the fast start they needed.

Flyhalf Saxon Gerstl sparked the early attack, putting center Nick Morgan through a gap for the opening try. Matteo Berenger added the conversion to make it 7–0. Grand Canyon responded in kind, marching downfield for a close-range score to level the match.

Arizona began to find an edge at the lineout, stealing possession deep in GCU territory. Prop Dalton Slaughter capitalized, powering over to restore a 12–7 lead. But the Lopes had the final say of the half, crossing after a lengthy review to take a 14–12 advantage into the break.

“I think it’s a testament to our schedule and the character of the guys in the circle how calm they were at halftime,” said Director of Rugby Sean Duffy. “We knew it would be a contest, and the emotion of knockout rugby can get to you. We left points on the board in the first half. Sometimes it’s adjustments, other times it’s just a refocus on the standard—because that can’t drop.”

Arizona delivered that response emphatically. The Wildcats erupted for nearly 30 second-half points, fueled by defensive pressure and clinical execution. Gerstl ignited the surge, regathering his own chip kick before breaking the line and setting wing Jake Schumacher free for a long-range try. Moments later, it was fellow wing Ethan Heim racing through a gap for a try of his own, putting some distance between the sides. Up front, Arizona’s forwards began to impose themselves. A well-executed lineout set up Andreas Andersson for a close-range score, and another piece of set play saw Isaac Morrill cross the line.

The senior class put the finishing touch on the performance. In the closing stages, Brody Johnson and Berenger combined to send the captain over in the corner, sealing a hard-fought 41–36 victory. "Felt great to end my time on Sitton with a win, especially with all the seniors getting on the scoresheet. We're feeling really confident going into St. Mary's and the boys are fired up for the rematch" said Berenger.

With the win, Arizona returns to the national quarterfinals for the second straight year. The Wildcats will travel to the Bay Area to face St. Mary’s College in Moraga next week, with a semifinal berth on the line against the winner of Cal and BYU.

The national championship is set for May 2 in Indianapolis.

Scoring vs GCU

Tries: Morgan, Slaughter, Schumacher, Heim, Andersson, Morrill, Berenger

Conversions: Berenger- 1/4, Gerstl- 2/3

Arizona vs GCU

4- Chris Grosse

6- Jacob Jaffe

7- Tanner DeMassa - VC