Emotions ran high as the Arizona soccer team honored its five seniors before kickoff at the season closer yesterday. But the Beavers wasted no time in squashing the little enthusiasm the Wildcats had, as Oregon State forward Melinda Ingalls scored a goal in the first minute of the game.
Oregon State went on to shut out the Wildcats 3-0 at Mulcahy Stadium.
“”We obviously didn’t start off on the right foot, giving up an early goal. It changed what we needed to do,”” said co-interim head coach John Galas. “”It certainly was a letdown for our seniors, giving up the goal early.””
Redshirt senior goalkeeper Devon Wharf started in the net but was clearly unable to continue playing with a knee injury. In a show of good sportsmanship, the Beavers allowed Wharf to start and purposely kicked the kickoff out of bounds. That allowed goalie Ashley Jett to sub in for Wharf 28 seconds into the game.
The Wildcats outshot the Beavers 5-3, but the scoring difficulties that had been the cause of their struggles all season remained in the last game, causing Oregon State to lead 2-0 at halftime.
In the second half, the Wildcats continued to outshoot the Beavers, but neither team made any threat to score.
Both teams played physical second-half soccer as Arizona senior Jasmine Namdar was given a red card for retaliating against Beaver defender Brittany Galindo after being pushed in the back. The referee only saw Namdar’s push during the altercation.
“”It’s part of the game. Referees will have influence on the game, positive and negative. It’s just something you have to deal with,”” Galas said. “”Jasmine has never gotten a red card before in her life.””
Four cards were given in the second half, three of them to Arizona.
Macke Mutz, a redshirt junior, was honored with all the seniors because she is unsure if she’ll return, depending on how the search for the new head coach goes.
“”The season didn’t go well with losses, but overall this is the best team as far as how we bonded after all the different situations we overcame,”” Mutz said. “”Whether I come back next year or not, there is no doubt this will be a completely different team next year.””
The Wildcats finished the season 4-15-1, and now the focus will turn to the coaching search.
“”Whatever the direction the administration decides to go in, the foundation is very solid here,”” Galas said. “”We just want to thank the (administration) for all the support that they’ve given us.””
