The Arizona Wildcats soccer team will conclude its 2010 season in front of its home crowd this weekend.
Arizona will match up with UCLA (10-7-1, 3-4 Pacific 10 Conference) on Friday night at 7 and No. 17 USC on Sunday at 11 a.m.
“”It’s crazy. Just as you start to get into the swing of things, you only have two games left,”” said head coach Lisa Oyen.
Before Sunday’s game against the Trojans, Arizona (5-11-2, 1-6) will honor its three seniors, Macke Mutz, Becky Barry and Alex Davis. The trio has been a staple in the program for five years.
“”It’s hard to believe this will be their last games because I’ve been around them for so long,”” Oyen said. “”I feel like I’ve known them for a while. I’m proud of them for growing and maturing as players and as people, so it’s been really enjoyable.””
Besides wanting to send the seniors out on a high note, the Wildcats have an extra incentive to cap a season of hard work with positive results this weekend.
The year has been full of ups and downs, with promising wins and disappointing losses. Two final games in front of a home crowd this weekend gives the Wildcats an opportunity to put forth a strong effort that will build toward next year.
“”We feel like we’ve put a ton of work into the season, and we want to finish it on a good note,”” Oyen said. “”We also feel like we’ve worked so hard for so long that I don’t think there’s a point where this team will just give up.””
Oyen’s first year as head coach wasn’t free of adversity.
Junior leading scorer Renae Cuellar went down with an injury early and Oyen had the responsibility of easing 12 freshmen into the college game.
“”There were some times where we dropped some games and just had some performances that we didn’t think were very good. That part is always tougher as a coach,”” Oyen said, reflecting on her first year. “”Some of the results this year were disappointing, but we feel good about the direction we’re heading.””
The Trojans (11-4-3, 4-2-1) will be Arizona’s third ranked conference opponent in as many weeks.
“”It’s the Pac-10. Everyone is good, but that just makes you want to get after it more,”” said midfielder Shannon Heinzler.
