Rugby gets off to early start

The UA rugby team started its season early with a match against New Mexico last weekend. Early as in 4 a.m.

The Wildcats woke up before dawn Friday morning to travel to Albuquerque for their first action of the year against the Lobos.

UA's early travel time wasn't its only disadvantage - the Lobos had six games under their belt while the Wildcats had yet to play.

Despite losing 29-17, UA head coach head coach Dave Sitton said he was satisfied with his team's energy after the long ride.

"Our effort was impressive given the conditions, (and considering) it was our first time out," Sitton said.

The Wildcats showed no signs of rust initially, opening up an early 5-0 lead on a try by All-American senior halfback Jonathan Gray. But ensuing penalties against Arizona helped the Lobos pull away, and the Wildcats did not lead again.

Sitton said the mental blunders hurt his squad's chances.

"We just made some technical errors," Sitton said. "We didn't take advantage of all our opportunities."

Gray said the long ride factored into the team's play.

"I think the long bus ride takes a lot out of you," Gray said. "It's hard to get out and get excited to play."

He continued to say the loss helped the team assess their progress.

"We learned a lot (from the game)," Gray said. "This was more a game to see where we're at."

The rugby team has a week off before they play host to Colorado, Texas A&M, and San Diego State at Estevan Park in the Domino's Invitational Nov. 17 and 18.

Women Icers get first victory against ASU

The UA Women's hockey team shut out ASU Sunday to claim its first-ever victory over the Shedevils.

The 1-0 shutout came on the heels of a close loss in the first game of the weekend series Saturday against the same ASU squad. It was the first intercollegiate action for the Icers this season.

In the first game, Arizona dropped a squeaker to ASU, 3-2, despite putting more shots on goal. Freshman forward Ashley Swanson accounted for both UA goals.

In Sunday's rematch, however, senior forward Carrie Glover scored the lone goal on an assist from sophomore center Elissa Gallai.

Arizona preserved the shutout to seal the victory.

Head coach Ben Ledrado said that the play of goalie Katie Connelly - who kept the Shedevils out of the net on Sunday - was crucial to the win.

"She cut down the angles very well," Ledrado said. "She played very solid."

Glover said the team was elated to win its first game in the rivalry.

"It was great - everybody just flew off the bench," she said. "It was awesome."

The Icers resume play this weekend in a local tournament at the Gateway Ice Center. Play begins at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Men's soccer looking for championship

The men's club soccer team heads to nationals Wednesday with hopes of earning a national championship.

The Wildcats enter the tournament with an impressive record of 10-1.

UA senior forward Jeremy Pense has scored 23 goals on the year - an average of more than two goals per game.

Last season ,the team went 9-0 before tying Penn State in the first round of the tournament. Because of the tournament's point system, Arizona did not advance, while PSU went on to claim the national title.

Team president Will Yokubaitis said this year's addition of a few talented players from Pima Community College should make the Wildcats favorites for the title.

"We are the team to beat in this tournament," Yokubaitis said. "We are going to win the national championship - (there is) no doubt in my mind."

The Wildcats begin the tournament Nov. 14 against an opponent that has yet to be decided.

Women's water polo plays host to NAU this weekend

The women's water polo team is holding the annual Homecoming tournament this weekend. This year marks the first time the women have participated.

The Wildcats will play Northern Arizona University and a co-ed team made up of UA water polo alumni.

The game with NAU will be the first time UA has faced their conference rival since last year's Southwest Conference championship game - a fiercely contested match that Arizona won by one point.

Sophomore team captain Rochelle Perper said the team has been preparing for NAU all summer.

"Last year, we were able to defend our Southwest Conference championship, and so this year we're prepared to do the same," Perper said. "We've been training really hard this semester, and we're ready to show them what we've got."

The games - against the alumni team at 11 a.m. Saturday and NAU at 12:30 p.m. - will be played at the Student Recreation Center pool.