Derrick Clarit/Observer
The Central Men’s rugby team dominated the Arizona State University Sun Devils (ASU) Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Varsity Cup by a score of 72-10.

This was more than an average rugby game; the stakes were high in this “win or go home” game.

The Wildcats have had an outstanding regular season, going undefeated in conference play. The mental aspect was a big part of this game when it came down to crunch time.

Staying focused can be a hard task after all those wins but Head Coach Tony Pacheco was not worried about his team’s focus heading into Saturday’s game.

“Our whole year has been built towards this post season win to try and win a varsity cup and national championship,” Pacheco said. “The focus is there, we are ready, this what we have been talking about for months.”

Due to injuries, the Wildcats have had to put their younger backs to the test. Senior Josh Bower was confident that injuries and a young roster would not be an issue for the team in the playoffs.

“We have had a lot of young guys step up,” Bower said. “There are only two seniors in the backline. So me and my teammate, Zach Brewer, have worked to mentor the young guys.”

Central came out the gate on fire in Saturday’s game, scoring two times in the first seven minutes of play.

Junior Korbin Lindell got the Wildcats on the board first, quickly followed with another try by sophomore Ian Wright to give the Wildcats an early 10-0 lead.

The scoring did not stop there for the Wildcats. Junior Gavin Schag scored next for the Wildcats to extend the lead to 17-0. Senior Aladdin Schirmer and sophomore Scott Dean each added another score for the Wildcats in the first half to give the Wildcats a 31-10 lead at half time.

Schirmer knew they had an advantage in the forward position and was proved correct with all the points they were able to put up.

“We have big forwards, strong forwards. I think they have the heads on them to go for the ball,” Schirmer said. “When the ball comes to us we have to straighten up and get the ball clean to carve up the defense.”

The second half was much like the first half: a lot of points for the Wildcats.

Dean got the scoring going with a try just minutes into the second half.Freshman Dom Lindstrom added the next try for the Wildcats in the 47 minute. Freshman Zach Brewer would add the next tally. Schirmer kept the scoring going with his try in the 62 minute of the match.

When it looked like the scoring may slow down Wright added his second try of the game in the 70 minute. To put the icing on the cake Senior Dan Conklin added a try in the 76 minute for the Wildcats.

Following the win over ASU, the Wildcats will now move on to the quarterfinals of the Varsity Cup. They take on the University of Utah on April 11 at 1 p.m. in Ellensburg.