Arizona Women’s Soccer wins Back-to-Back games this Weekend

It was a big weekend for the Arizona Women’s Soccer team, as the Wildcats bounced back from their devastating opening season loss.

It’s been over a week since the Arizona Women’s Soccer team had a rough start to the 2018 season, but the Wildcats are back on track!

Already 0-1 to start the year, the Wildcats had a big weekend, with some must-needed wins. First it was UC Irvine on Thursday, then it was a game against Houston Baptist on Sunday.

Taking to the pitch against UC Irvine on Thursday, it would be a tough match from the beginning. In the entire first half, it was clear this would likely be a low-scoring, close affair.

Arizona Wildcats

Arizona had some great attempts early on, but would be unsuccessful in their four shots on goal. UC Irvine would certainly put the pressure on in the first half, but luckily the Wildcats’ defense came up strong.

Senior goalkeeper Lainey Burdett would be like a brick wall in between the goal posts in this one, keeping the Anteaters scoreless in the first half. Burdett would finish with four saves overall for the game, completing the shut out!

The second half would be quite a different story for the Wildcats, as they really applied the pressure and made things difficult for UC Irvine.

Finally, in the 70th minute, a break through! The Wildcats would put one past the Anteaters’ goal keeper, as junior forward Jill Aguilera made it 1-0 Arizona late in the game.

Luckily, that’s all the scoring the Wildcats would need to hold on to win this one, sealing their first win of the season!

Then 1-0-1 on the season, Arizona came back home to the friendly confines of Mulcahy Stadium in Tucson.

Squaring off with Houston Baptist, the Wildcats would put together a big time performance in this one! Early on, Arizona would put forth some great attempts only to be stonewalled by the Huskies.

Then in the 29th minute, the Wildcats would break this thing open. Sophomore forward Jada Talley would put one off the post that would sneak past the keeper to make it 1-0.

Less than 10 minutes later, it would be Talley again! This time putting a strike to the top right corner of the goal to make it 2-0 Cats!

However, the offensive barrage wouldn’t stop, as sophomore defender Sabrina Enciso would also join the scoring party just minutes later. Enciso would put a well-placed volley past the keeper to make it 3-0 in favor of the Wildcats just before the half!

The second half would start much like the first, where both exchanged shots, but nothing really materialized. Then in the 66th minute, Aguilera put a great shot on goal that was deflected, but luckily freshman midfielder Gabe Jillings was there with the rebound to make it 4-0 Arizona!

Just a few minutes later, freshman forward Brooke Wilson would connect on a great volley that would find the back of the net to make it 5-0!

Still leading 5-0 heading into the 88th minute, the Wildcats would get their final goal of the evening, when freshman forward Michaela Renter would take a tremendous pass that she put in the side net to make it 6-0!

Arizona would finish the game with the 6-0 victory, while putting 14 shots on goal, and improving their record to 2-0-1!

Coincidentally, the win also gave head coach Tony Amato his 56th win as the Wildcats’ head coach, making him the winningest head coach in Arizona Soccer history!

The Wildcats will return to the pitch on Friday, when they take on Southeast Missouri State in Tempe, AZ.

At Zona Zealots, we are proud of the way Arizona Soccer performed this weekend, and only hope they can keep the momentum going! Bear Down, Arizona!