The Wildcats will face the Seattle Saracens in men’s rugby action this weekend. The Saracens are a Premier Northwest Rugby team which makes Saturday’s match a non-conference match, but that doesn’t mean the Wildcats will take the game lightly.

“We’ve never beaten them before and we’ve certainly got the athletes in place now where we can compete with the club side,” head coach Todd Thornley said. “We want to knock them over. Absolutely we want to win.”

Through seven games this season, the Seattle Saracens are currently sitting at sixth in their Premier League standings with a 2-5 record.

The Saracens roster a decent amount of CWU alumni including Ryan Snider, who graduated in 2012, as well as Aladdin Schirmer and Maverick Schirmer, who both graduated in 2016.

Thornley explained the mindset and attitude that he wants the team to have heading into this matchup.

The team needs to have a lot of confidence and a strong understanding of the game plan, outlined Thornley. “If we have total clarity and understanding of why and how and when we do things, then we should be very confident in playing a team like them.”

Thornley expanded on the team’s struggles and how the team can continue to grow heading into this match-up.

“I just think our ability to get around the field and play at a high pace for the whole 80 minutes,” Thornley said. “ I think right now we just simply don’t have the match fitness and also just the big aerobic base that we need to get around the field.”

Junior center Cole Zarcone outlined his expectations for the team as they prepare for the Saracens.

“I think that with a few matches under our belt, we’ll be able to do well against them and it will be an exciting match,” Zarcone said.

“[For me] just playing well and helping the team get the win,” Zarcone said. “Whatever I have to do to help the team get the win is all that matters.”

Senior wing Dominic Lindstrom also has high expectations for the team heading into the weekend.

We want to “keep the younger guys calm and be [leaders] on the field,” Lindstrom said.

Lindstrom talked about the improvements that need to be made down the road in order for this team to get even better as the season advances.

“A few of our wins weren’t even our best games. We have yet to play our perfect game. Once that happens, we’re going to be dangerous.” Lindstorm said.