The Arizona soccer team did not want to head into the Pacific 10 Conference play next weekend with the memory of it’s dismal two-loss, two-shutout weekend fresh on its mind.

And that won’t happen, thanks to Sunday’s effort. The Wildcats (7-4) returned to the form they had during their first eight games of the season, as they beat Santa Clara (3-7-2) 2-0.

“”I told the team in training last week that I felt we had played pretty well through those first eight games of the season,”” said UA head coach Dan Tobias. “”Last week we had a bit of a down week, but (Sunday) we got a little of (our previous form) back and we really played to our strengths and put together a solid effort.””

As was characteristic of Arizona’s early-season play, the Wildcats took little time tacking on the match’s first goal. Forward Jasmine Namdar took a rebound from forward Renae Cueller’s shot and snuck the ball into the net past the Broncos’ goalkeeper Meagan McCray in the game’s seventh minute.

“”I thought we got off to a really good start, especially in those first fifteen minutes,”” Tobias said. “”We had pretty good possession of the ball and some great chances. Then getting that early goal, it was exactly what we have done best so far (this season).””

The Wildcats continued to attack the Broncos on their home field throughout the rest of the half, coming close on several occasions to notching the game’s second and potentially third goals before the half.

Arizona went into the locker room having dominated the opening 45 minutes, as the Wildcats outshot the Broncos 9-4.

In the second half, it was Santa Clara’s offense that came out firing with three shots – including two on goal – in the period’s opening 20 minutes.

But after a pair of saves by UA goalkeeper Chelsea McIntyre, the Wildcats were the ones to find the net as midfielder Leila Amini completed a free kick and iced the game. The goal gave Arizona a 2-0 advantage in the 87th minute.

The Broncos scrambled to prevent the shutout with three more shots in the game’s final three minutes, but to no avail.

“”We were really persistent (throughout the game),”” Tobias said. “”We had several three-versus-two, four-versus-three, three-versus-one opportunities throughout the second half and I just thought we did a great job (offensively).””