The Arizona soccer team had a rough start to the season this weekend, dropping games to the San Diego State Aztecs and the Pepperdine Waves.

Arizona (0-2) faced Pepperdine on Sunday night in Malibu, Calif., and had some untimely mental mistakes, which the Waves were able to capitalize on as they cruised to a 2-0 win. Pepperdine scored at the end of the first half and at the start of the second half, and Arizona was unable to recover.

“It was a tough game,” head coach Lisa Oyen said. “The first goal was off of our mistake, and the second goal was something that I think we could have saved.”

Oyen said that her team must improve its organization in the back and be more efficient when it comes to goal-scoring opportunities. She said she was displeased with the selection of shots the team took and that she is looking for organization from the midfield.

The Wildcats also dropped their Friday game as they lost 1-0 against San Diego State on a penalty shot. They were charged with a handball in the box, which allowed the Aztecs nail their penalty shot.

“I don’t think it was a good call,” said redshirt junior Renae Cuellar of the penalty call against the Aztecs. “To lose on a penalty kick is disappointing.”

Oyen said she was disappointed in how the team lost but was happy in how they performed.

“For the first game I think for how we played, we were very happy,” Oyen said. “We were able to adapt to the other team’s style of play.”

The Wildcats were able to get Cuellar and junior Alex Smith back after both suffered injuries last year.

“They had a solid performance,” assistant coach Danielle Sunderhaus said. “Renae hasn’t played in a college game in almost 11 months so you couldn’t have asked more from her.”

Oyen was encouraged with both performances this weekend but thinks the team needs more discipline throughout all 90 minutes.

“Obviously disappointed to walk away with the results from this weekend” Oyen said. “We just have to clean up some things in the back and be more efficient in front of goal.”