Arizona soccer fell to Gonzaga University by a score of 1-0 after a lackluster offensive performance at Mulcahy Stadium to finish out their non-conference schedule on Thursday, Sept. 16.
Gonzaga started the game with possession and wasted no time marching into Arizona’s side of the field. Gonzaga forward Erin Healy started off the attack, firing her first shot in the first minute. They continued to hold possession in Arizona’s half with Gonzaga forward Kate Doyle sending two quick shots at Arizona goalkeeper Hope Hisey who saved both in the 2nd and 4th minute.
Arizona forward Jill Aguilera was able to find two shot opportunities in the 18th and 42nd minute but both went out over the top of the net. The only other Arizona player to have a shot in the first half was forward Desiree Foster in the 22nd minute.
Gonzaga kept Arizona on their heels defensively, firing off eight shots on goal in the half compared to Arizona’s two. Hisey was a defensive anchor for the Wildcats, totaling eight saves in the half to keep Gonzaga at bay and the game tied 0-0.
In the second half, Arizona was able to move better offensively, fighting a physical battle for possession. Arizona was able to get the ball into Gonzaga’s half with Nicole Dallin and Aguilera both taking shots that went over the top of the goal in the 51st and 52nd minutes.
Gonzaga was able to take back momentum after a foul on Aguilera. Gonzaga took the ball out wide and crossed it into the box where an Arizona defender tried to clear the ball. The defender hit the ball right to Gonzaga’s Healy who took a touch and shot the ball past Hisey in the 59th minute to make the score 1-0.
Arizona’s closest chance came in the 81st minute on a shot from Madison Goerlinger that hit the post and bounced off away from the goal.
“I wish it went in,” Goerlinger said. “I mean, I found an open space and we needed to take more shots to try and get anything we could get going for us.”
Arizona largely was dominated for possession by Gonzaga the entire game, with Arizona having three shots on goal and Gonzaga having 14 in the game. Arizona goalkeeper Hisey set a new career-high with 14 total saves after setting a new career-high in their last game.
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“I don’t think it’s a particularly a good thing as a team that the other team is getting shots on goal that much,” Hisey said. “Overall, I think we need to do a better job of keeping possession in higher parts of the field and then they won’t get that many shots on goal.”
Arizona head coach Becca Moros spoke on the team’s performance and thinks the team needs to do some soul searching.
“We came out flat, I don’t think we ever found a rhythm the whole game long,” Moras said. “This was definitely a turn downward for us from the direction we’ve been moving in.”
“We’re definitely gonna have to take a hard look at it and take a hard look at ourselves and decide what kind of team we want to be,” Moros said.
Arizona soccer’s record drops to 3-4-0 heading into conference play. The Wildcats will start conference play against Washington State on Friday, Sept. 24 in Pullman at Lower Soccer Field.
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