In a soccer game as important as yesterday’s against the University of San Francisco, there are certain players and moments that define a team.
In Arizona’s 2-1 win over the Dons, it was goalkeeper Ashley Jett who propelled the Wildcats to their second straight win.
“”(Jett) was awesome today, she’s coming up big for us,”” said senior Macke Mutz. “”She’s really leading and motivating the defense so it’s great to have her back there.””
Jett, the Pacific 10 Conference leader in saves heading into the weekend, made more than one clutch save on Sunday.
Toward the end of the first half with the game still scoreless, USF (4-9) attacker Keonna Robinson evaded the Arizona defense and broke free into the box where she was alone with Jett. Robinson struck the ball just as Jett leapt into the air to deflect the shot over the goal and preserve the tie heading into halftime.
“”It’s an adrenaline rush, you know that you’re going to have to make a save unless they muff it,”” Jett said. “”I know that my team is going to do everything they can to keep me out of those situations, but that’s my time where I have to keep it out of the back of the net.””
Arizona’s attack set up several scoring opportunities in the first half but was unable to capitalize until the offense broke through on a goal from Mutz in the 65th minute, and later on a strike from senior Alex Davis in the 72nd.
The goals were Mutz’s and Davis’ first of the year, and both were scored on set pieces.
“”It was just important for us to score off some set plays and off dead balls. That was huge for us because we’ve been struggling with that for most of the season,”” Mutz said. “”I scored last year kind of off the same thing, it was exciting to do it again.””
The Dons made things interesting in the latter part of the match when they responded with a goal in the 80th minute to bring the score to 2-1.
Searching for the equalizer, USF kept the pressure on Arizona’s back four as its attack was able to set up opportunities in the box that were too close for UA’s comfort.
“”Give San Francisco credit, they made it difficult and wouldn’t go away,”” said head coach Lisa Oyen. “”At that point in the game our biggest priority is to get out of the game with the win.””
The Wildcats (4-5-2) were ultimately able to play keep away until the final whistle, securing back-to-back wins for the first time since Sept. 11, 2009.
With Pacific 10 Conference play set to begin next weekend, Arizona got a shot in the arm with a win over USF.
“”It’s huge, we’ve felt good coming off one win, but to put two together back to back is huge, and we have to keep building on this,”” Jett said.
