The University of Arizona women’s soccer team secured a 5-0 win over the University of Las Vegas on Thursday, Aug. 14, at Murphey Field. The Wildcats put away all their goals in the first half of the match, holding UNLV to a shutout in the second half. 

Eight minutes into the first half, Sami Baytosh laid the ball to sophomore forward Aurora Gaines who found the net for Arizona’s first goal. Gaines scored her second goal of the game shortly after in the twelfth minute of play, putting Arizona further into the lead. 

With chemistry flowing, Lily Boydstun, a sophomore midfielder, put one in for the Wildcats less than a minute after Gaines’ second goal of the match. Arizona sat in a comfortable 3-0 lead at this point in the match. 

During the 25th minute mark of the game, sophomore forward Narissa Fults scored her first of the game, giving Arizona a 4-0 lead. The team held UNLV to a single shot for the entire half, possession remaining on Wildcat feet. 

Shortly after their 4th goal, the Wildcats made a collective effort to score their 5th and final goal of the game, all within the first half. They ended the first 45 minutes with nine shots on goal. 

In the second half of the game, UNLV was able to get off five shots, giving Arizona’s goalie Sofia Cortes-Brown some action in the net. However, the Wildcats were still able to stay above with six shots, none of them finding the net. 

As the first scheduled game of the season, Arizona brought home a strong victory to kickstart the Wildcats’ season. 

Looking ahead

Arizona soccer will face the University of California, Irvine at Murphey Field on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 10:30 a.m. With a strong win under their belt and another home-game matchup, the Wildcats look promising going into their next contest.

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