For a summary of the Arizona soccer team’s season thus far, there is no need to look any further than a single moment of yesterday’s match against Washington.
Late in the first half, with the Wildcats down 1-0, midfielder Leila Amini found herself all alone with the ball in front of the Huskies’ net. But instead of a goal, the freshman miss-hit the ball, dribbling it out of bounds just left of the goal.
“”We’re still not assertive enough in front of the goal,”” said UA head coach Dan Tobias. “”We got the ball in some good positions, we hit some good crosses, but then just got unlucky in front. Some of those chances were just miss-hit.””
Between the missed opportunities as well as a rare lapse in defensive effectiveness, Arizona (5-8-0) dropped both of its first two Pacific 10 Conference games of the season with a 3-1 loss Friday to Washington State (8-1-2) and yesterday’s 2-0 loss to the Huskies (4-8-0).
Throughout Sunday’s contest, Arizona appeared visibly frustrated. On several occasions Wildcat players got into scuffles with Washington players – two of which resulted in yellow cards on Arizona’s Sam Drees and Kaity Heath.
“”We seem to have it all but for some reason it’s just not going our way right now,”” said defender Brianna Caceres. We just really need to keep our heads focused and work to get out of it.””
The Huskies’ style of play did not help calm Arizona’s frustrations. Washington’s strategy appeared to include keeping the ball out of the Wildcats’ reach by continuously using long, high kicks to keep Arizona at bay.
“”(Washington) played long ball all day,”” Caceres said. “”That got us a little off balance and then they got a break by scoring and finishing when they got their chances.””
Both of the Huskies’ goals came as a result of a Wildcat turnover. While Arizona has not given up many chances this season due to turnovers, mistakes in the backfield cost the Wildcats in a big way.
“”We are making mistakes and turning the ball over in dangerous parts of the field,”” Tobias said. “”And teams are taking advantage of those mistakes and turning them into goals.
“”Right now that’s the difference for us in terms of results.””
Arizona’s defense was no better Friday as the Wildcats allowed three goals on eight shots, with all eight shots on goal. The three goals are the team’s second-most it has allowed in a single game all season.
Injuries to Arizona’s back line did not help the Wildcat’s effectiveness on defense, especially the limited use of Savanah Levake due to an
unspecified injury.
“”Washington State made some real good plays,”” Tobias said. “”However, there were
definitely a few opportunities where we could have made a better tackle but instead let the girl through.
“”But just like how scoring goals is a team thing, giving up goals is a team thing.””
While Arizona continued to struggle finishing scoring chances offensively, Amini did manage to get one shot past the Cougars’ Bryn Bemis. Amini’s first career-goal also helped the Wildcats break out of a 283-minute scoring drought – their second-longest of the season.
“”The goal was big for us at that moment,”” Amini said. “”A goal always helps boost everyone’s motivation to get that next goal to hopefully win.””
But even with the momentum from Amini’s goal, WSU continued its strong attack of the goal and scored its third and final goal of the day, putting the Wildcats to rest for the third straight game.
The losses “”are going to sting there’s no question,”” Tobias said. “”But there is a lot of soccer left; it’s all about how we respond.””
