Photos: Rusty Wortman
The University of Arizona is now 4-0 in the DI Gold Coast conference, and earned that top spot in the standings with a 58-7 win over UC San Diego last weekend. It was a good team win, rooted in defense, and one that produced the Canterbury College Player of the Week.
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“They were pretty thrilled. I don’t think anyone on this team has ever beat UCSD,” said University of Arizona head coach Adam Dick. “They surprised themselves with the way they were able to put things together and perform – all the way through the reserves. They’re completely committed to the cause.”
But Saturday’s performance was no accident, and Dick acknowledged two turning points in the team’s development this season.
“One, I came back from the winter NASC in Florida – after working with some great coaches – with some ideas of how we could create an identity on defense and a system they could get excited about,” the coach explained. “Two, we traveled to play CSU Northridge, a very physical team, with only 19 players, and we earned our first shutout. So, credit goes to the team for really owning that defense, and trusting that we can score points if we have enough possession.”
Credit also goes to the solid core of seniors who have been setting the example for the team. Flyhalf Jessica Carpenter and No. 8 Gabby Grinslade are the captains and leaders on the pitch, and they’re propelled by fellow seniors prop Karlee Hamilton, hooker Kaitlynn Verheyden, lock Sarah Bosch (currently injured), flanker Madisen Miller, inside center Brawley McCaslin, outside center Kim Murphy and fullback Tatum Hale.
“The seniors have been outstanding, and we’ve had some newer players really step up when we’ve needed them,” Dick praised. “Everyone knows they have an important role to play, and the team has a really positive culture that has helped overcome some challenges throughout the season.”
Captain Grinslade, also worthy of an MVP nod
On Saturday, the Wildcats took a 15-7 halftime lead over UC San Diego and then surged in the second half with 43 unanswered points.
“We didn’t make any strategic changes,” Dick spoke to the second-half shift. “We won the first half against a really good team, so we needed to take it up another level because they were not going to give up.
“The girls went out, got the momentum, refused to let go of it, and ran away with things,” the coach added. “It was one of those days – you get in the zone, do your job, and we didn’t let them build anything. … The score flatters us. If we play UCSD again, I can’t imagine we’ll have the same success.”
Seven Wildcats scored, and it was a full-team effort, but Carpenter did stand out on the day. The Canterbury College Player of the Week accounted for 18 points on Saturday, and serves her team as a well rounded 10. She’s got a good boot, is a good distributor and knows when to attack herself. Carpenter is a defensive asset as well and sets a good example for her teammates.
Arizona is heading to the Las Vegas Invitational before returning to 15s to finish out the DI regular season. The Gold Coast semifinals and final occur on March 25-26, and it’s likely that at least two teams will move onto the DI regional championship (Round of 16).
For more information on the conference, click here.