By
Jeff Lund
Arizona Daily Wildcat
This weekend was supposed to be the final test for the UA rugby team before heading into the playoffs. Instead, the two-game homestand has turned into the Wildcats' last chance to regain their pride.
After the heartbreaking loss to Long Beach State that ended the hopes of making the playoffs, the UA ruggers will look to end their regular season at home on a positive note against two playoff-bound powerhouses, Sacramento State and Ohio State. UA will take on the Hornets Saturday at 3 p.m. and the Buckeyes Sunday at a time that has not yet been announced.
Should the UA basketball team win, the Wildcat ruggers will reschedule their game to earlier or later in the day in order to watch UA's regional finals.
The Buckeyes (13-0) have qualified into the 'Sweet 16' next month, and Sacramento State - coached by former UA captain Justin Prichard - is coming off a Division II National Championship en route to becoming one of the elite teams in the country.
The Wildcats have their work cut out for them.
"Its a really good story what (Prichard) has done up there," UA head coach Dave Sitton said. "If we don't play hard, we have no chance. If we play hard and minimize our mistakes, we can make things interesting for both games this weekend."
For seniors, the two games will mark their home field finale.
"Finishing up the season on a positive note is important," senior James Kai said. "We're playing great teams, so finishing strong means a lot. No matter what, as a competitive team and athletes, it all comes down to pride. Although the playoffs aren't in the picture, we want to show we can play with the best teams in the country."
Although the team has moved on from the controversial yellow cards that eventually cost the team the game and a berth in playoffs, the sting is still there. The Wildcats were forced to finish the game against LBSU two men short after Arizona was dealt a pair of yellow cards.
"It was really crippling," Kai said. "It was right on the goal line and happened without any warning."
Senior Jonathan Gray said that it was unfair for the Wildcats' playoff hopes to come down to a referee's call. UA must deal with the cards that they're dealt, even if they are yellow cards.
"There hasn't been any talk about it," Gray said. "It happened, (but) we need to put it behind us. The underclassmen did really well with what they had to work with. They will do well when they get more experience."
Gray said the team needs to be at their best when Sacramento State and Ohio State come calling.
"They want to stay undefeated," Gray said. "We are psyched to be playing good teams."
