Two weekends ago, it looked like Arizona was going to upset the Pacific Mountain Conference (PMC) South leader, UC San Diego, as it entered the half up 21-0. But then the scales of experience shifted the match into the Tritons’ favor and the win slipped away. Lessons in losses like that go a long way with this young Tucson team, and the Wildcats were a little smarter when they took the pitch last Saturday against UCLA.

Arizona expressed itself offensively as it outscored UCLA 54-38. Breakaway tries allowed the Wildcats to build a 21-5 lead at the break, and recent memory kept the team’s collective “foot on the pedal” in the second half.

The Bruins, which had scored the last try of the first half, revived in the second stanza and put up 33 points – a tally that would typically afford a win. And while Arizona had some defensive issues, the Wildcats matched every point against for the encouraging victory.

“In a season where Arizona is rebuilding, it was a good win,” Arizona coach Rusty Wortman said. “Our lineouts, which have been a weak point, have improved, and our loose play is getting better with more playing experience.

“For a young team, they have been steadily improving week after week, and it has been exciting to watch them grow into the team I know they can be,” added Wortman.

Of the 15 starters Saturday, seven were first-years and six have one year of experience. Stability and inspiration were rooted in veterans like All American center Amy Naber and Second Team All American scrumhalf Ria Joseph. The duo scored a hat trick apiece and were instrumental in stifling UCLA’s momentum in the second half.

Wing Saleiha Marks was the finisher out wide and scored two tries, while Gabby Grinslade represented the forwards in the try zone.

“There are two new people I have been very impressed with,” Wortman said. “Sarah Bosch, who is a first-year lock, and our Number 8, Tatum Hale, who is also going to be playing 7s for us in the CRC.”

The next two weekends are big ones. Arizona is one of four PMC South teams playing in a double-header, and the Wildcats will travel to California for UC Santa Barbara and UCLA. The following weekend is in-state rival Arizona State, which is arguably the second-best team in the conference. If Arizona wins those three games, and depending on what happens with the UCSB rain-out (among other factors), then the Wildcats could take the second seed to PMC playoffs. Wortman is cautious, however, and knows that the development of depth is chief among the team's concerns. Once the 15s season is over, then Arizona will focus on 7s.

“The best part is that the new players think this is the best sport in the world, which it is,” Wortman concluded. “So I have high hopes for the rest of the season and the CRC 7s.”