Football
The world was officially introduced to Khalil Tate on Oct. 7, 2017 at Colorado when the sophomore broke the FBS single-game rushing record for a quarterback with 327 yards. Tate entered the game in Boulder in the first quarter when Brandon Dawkins exited with an injury. Fourteen carries and five touchdowns later, Tate etched his name in the record books with an unforgettable performance.
Tate lifted Arizona to a 45-42 win over Colorado in what was the start of a four-game winning streak for the football team. The performance against the Buffaloes was only the beginning for Tate who garnered Heisman attention in late October and proved to be one of the most electrifying college football players in 2017.
– Alec White, football and basketball beat writer
Related: The Real Deal
Men’s ice hockey
Like many UA sports, hockey was dominant against in-state rival ASU. But on Dec 2, 2017, it was a little bit different. On that night, Arizona won the Cactus Cup, an award given to the team who came out on top in the season series. With four games against the Sun Devils already in the books, the Wildcats claimed a 4-0 series victory that would improve to 7-2 by season end.
It was a night that showed a change in momentum for the team, not just for the season, but for years down the road. For years, the Wildcats’ biggest hurdle had been the Sun Devils, but those misfortunes and been forgotten for now.
Arizona went on to the American Collegiate Hockey Association tournament and make it to the second round, but the ‘Cats were eliminated by the No. 1 Minot State.
– Rachel Huston, hockey beat writer
Related: Wildcats take back the Cactus Cup in dominant fashion
Women’s soccer
The top moment for Arizona women’s soccer came when the UA hosted an NCAA tournament game for the first time in program history in November.
The UA was matched up with TCU in the first round. The Horned Frogs were and strong club and finished their regular season 12-6-3, and it showed against Arizona. TCU went 1-0 up on the ‘Cats in just the 30th minute. The ‘Cats would wait an anxious 45 minutes to find an equalizer when Samantha Falasco tapped a Gabi Stoian corner after the ball ricocheted around the six-yard box.
The real fireworks came five minutes later, when, in the 81st minute, Cali Crisler fired a shot from far outside the box and beat TCU’s goalkeeper far post to give Arizona the lead. That proved to be the game winner and sent Arizona to the second round against Florida State.
– Max Cohen, soccer and softball beat writer
Related: Arizona soccer advances to second round with 2-1 comeback win over TCU
Volleyball
In an otherwise down season for Arizona volleyball, their brightest moment of the season was their upset of No. 15 USC. Junior Kendra Dahlke had 11 kills, and freshman Paige Whipple, who head coach Dave Rubio projects to be a very good player for the Wildcats for the years to come, had 10 kills.
– Noah Auclair, volleyball and softball beat writer
Men’s golf
In their first tournament in late January, the Arizona Intercollegiate, the Wildcats came out with a big win. After finishing day one of the tournament tied for eighth place, the Wildcats stormed back.
Arizona shot to the top of the leaderboard in the final three holes of the tournament passing Baylor and Texas A&M for first place. Senior George Cunningham finished the day with an impressive final round score of 65. Cunningham’s six under par final round jumped him 14 spots up the leaderboard to take sole possession of second place in the individual category as well.
Not only did the Wildcats win, they won on their home course Sewailo Golf Club. The tournament win gave Arizona its first and only win of the 2017-2018 season and first win since 2012. It was also coach Anderson’s first win as head coach for the men’s golf program.
– Cory Kennedy, men’s golf beat writer
Follow The Daily Wildcat on Twitter
