The Wildcats’ soccer team salvaged the Sun Devil Desert Classic in Tempe with a 3-1 win over Tennessee on Sunday.
Junior Renae Cuellar was again doing damage for the Wildcats, netting two goals against the Volunteers to help Arizona (2-3-1) rebound from Friday’s 3-0 loss against Nebraska.
“”I think with the second game, one thing our team has shown is that they are very willing to adapt to find out ways we can be successful,”” said head coach Lisa Oyen.
Cuellar set the tone early against Tennessee (2-4) by capitalizing on a through ball in the middle of the field and burying it for a goal in the second minute. Her two goals gave her six scored on the season, matching her total for all of last year.
Oyen talked after the game about Cuellar’s competitive attitude being the driving force behind her success as a dangerous attacker.
“”[Cuellar] missed some chances on Friday’s game, and so she was fired up and came out with even more determination to just make sure she doesn’t miss chances,”” Oyen said.
“”She knows that part of her role is to be that attacking player and find the back of the net, and she’s responded well to that so far.””
Against the Huskers,(5-1), Arizona’s offense was stifled and only managed to attempt two shots the entire game, with both attempts in the second half from the legs of Cuellar and freshman Ana Montoya.
“”The way [Nebraska] played, it was very difficult to get into a rhythm,”” Oyen said. “”It was a type of soccer that we don’t necessarily see a lot against teams in the west, and it was a big challenge for us. We just had a hard time adjusting to the flow of the game.””
The Wildcats had anticipated a physical game from the Huskers before the weekend, and were never able to match their style play.
Arizona responded on Sunday, though, by jumping out to an emphatic 2-0 lead that it wouldn’t relinquish thanks to a strong effort from junior goalkeeper Ashley Jett and a solidified back four on defense.
“”I think the one thing that was different today is that against Nebraska we had four or five very open chances to change the game, and for whatever reason we weren’t very good in front of the goal,”” Oyen said after the win. “”Today, we had chances and we finished, which showed a lot of composure and a lot of maturity.””
The young Wildcats continued to make strides on Sunday as well when freshman Jensen Skinner put the game out of reach in the 57th minute by striking a shot from 15 yards out for Arizona’s third goal of the game.
“”To see Jensen Skinner get on the board again was really encouraging, it was a very nice finish, and for her to get her second goal of the season was something that we were excited to see.”” Oyen said.
