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UA rugby team loses season opener to Lobos

The Arizona rugby team lost its season opener 34-19 last Saturday to the New Mexico Lobos at New Mexico Stadium in Albuquerque.

The Lobos took advantage of unforced errors by the Wildcats to beat them for the first time in 25 years. The non-conference loss to New Mexico leaves the all-time record between the two teams at 5-1 in favor of Arizona.

Arizona started out strong, but the Lobos quickly built an early 19-0 lead.

"We did not play an intelligent rugby match. They deserved to win on this day," head coach Dave Sitton said. "We need to go back and re-address every aspect of the game."

The Wildcats would cut the half-time lead to 19-7 when Dan Duncan scored before the final whistle of the first half.

The Lobos scored three more times in three minutes to take a commanding 34-7 lead before the Wildcats posted tries by Jonathan Gray and Rob Colville.

"We made too many stupid mistakes," Sitton said. "We lost many players from last year so all the new leadership positions are being held by new players."

Center Joe Shmitt played a strong game on both offense and defense, while junior Josh Allen also had a good game.

The Wildcats were also without two of their top players, Chris Kron and Mike Martinez, due to injury.

Kron, an All-American fullback who underwent surgery to repair shoulder damage, will not be able to play until January.

Mike Martinez, who played for the U.S. National Team, is nursing a sore hamstring and will not be available until later this fall.

"If we had these guys playing they would have helped - maybe," Sitton said.

Arizona will face national powerhouse Air Force this Saturday at home at Estevan Field.