After losing to Stanford last week, the Arizona Soccer team (8-2-1) bounced back in a big way, concluding a great weekend of action.
The Arizona Soccer team got back on track in a big way this past weekend! A little over week since losing to top-ranked Stanford, the Wildcats would have a tough challenge.
Opening the weekend action against Utah on Thursday, the Wildcats took to the pitch against a feisty Utes team.
Arizona Wildcats
Unfortunately not much was doing in the first half for Arizona, as Utah controlled much of the first half, putting quite a few shots on goal, but were unable to connect. Heading into halftime with a 0-0 tie, the action would pick up in the second.
Early in the second half, it was the Utes who would break the scoreless tie scoring in the 47th minute to make it 1-0. Luckily, just a few moments later the Wildcats would tie this one up as redshirt sophomore forward Jill Aguilera found the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Arizona would control much of the second half, putting together a few great possessions, but were unfortunately unable to convert before the second period ended.
Needing extra time, the Wildcats would start overtime again controlling the ball for much of the period, but again were unable to connect in the first 10 minutes. Finally in the 107th minute of game action, the Wildcats end the game on another Aguilera goal. This time from a ways out!
Wildcats would win this one in extra time by a 2-1 final!
Heading into Sunday, Arizona would have an even bigger challenge, this time against No. 18 Colorado.
From the start, you could this was going to be a good one. In the 11th minute, the Wildcats broke the scoring first, as sophomore forward Jada Talley would dribble up the field and scoring to make it 1-0 Arizona.
Unfortunately, the lead didn’t last long. Just a few seconds later, the Buffaloes would tie this one at 1-1 when a well placed ball would get past Lainey Burdett. Arizona and Colorado would have a few more attempts in the first half, but neither team was successful as this one went into halftime, knotted at 1-1.
The second half would be an exciting one with plenty of action. Colorado would come out strong, putting together a few good possessions, but luckily the Wildcats would be successful in turning away their attempts.
Arizona would come back, staying aggressive in their offensive attack, but were turned away by Colorado’s stifling defense. Despite numerous attempts by Arizona, this one would go to extra time.
Arizona and Colorado would compete, still trying to find ways to steal this one, but unfortunately neither were successful as this match would end in a 1-1 draw.
FINAL - The Cats earn a 1-1 draw thanks to a brilliant early goal from Jada Talley pic.twitter.com/JrLnM2psH8
— Arizona Soccer (@ArizonaSoccer) September 30, 2018
With the results from this weekend, Arizona improves to 8-2-1 (1-1-1) and enters the RPI Top 25! Arizona will return to action on Thursday when the take on USC, followed by UCLA on Sunday in Southern California.
At Zona Zealots, it’s great to see the continued success of the Arizona Soccer team, and we wish them the best as they take on the Southern California schools! Bear Down, Arizona!