By
Audrey DeAnda
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Yesterday's 8-0 loss to UCLA was worst loss in program's history
The UA soccer team ended its season yesterday on a low point - suffering its worst lost in the program's seven-year history.
The Wildcats were swept by the Southern California schools - losing 3-1 on Friday to USC before getting blanked by No. 5 UCLA, 8-0, yesterday.
UA head coach Cathy Klein was extremely disappointed with the team's performance against the Bruins.
"This team today does not deserve to wear the Arizona logo, they don't deserve the great fan base that we get," Klein said. "I think that they played like the team of old, and I'm embarrassed and apologetic to be the leader of that group."
Klein did not know why her team played with such a "lack of character," but she said the loss was a "significant step backwards" in the advancement of the program.
"UCLA is excellent, they deserve everything that they got," Klein said. "We are our opponent, and we don't deserve to be here. We don't deserve to be part of this athletic department."
UCLA forward Sarah-Gayle Swanson earned a hat trick for the Bruins, scoring in the 30th minute of the game and also notching UCLA's final two goals in the 77th and 80th minutes.
UCLA forward Stephanie Rigamat also put two on the board for the Bruins, scoring the first goal of the game in the 16th minute then notching another one in the 47th minute.
Bruin forward Staci Duncan also dented the net twice for UCLA in the 32nd and 69th minutes.
UCLA midfielder Lindsay Greco also got in on the action, scoring in the 56th minute.
Though the Bruins had a 3-0 lead heading into the half, Klein still thought the team could come back.
"I never think we're out of it, but I think you have to come with your 'A' game," Klein said. "I think you have to come with your integrity and character intact, and they didn't.
"Our drawers were empty. If this is the team they want to be, I don't want to be a part of it. We will never be like this again. This will never happen again, ever, as long as I'm here."
The Wildcats were outshot by the Bruins (15-3-1 overall, 6-2-1 Pacific 10 Conference) 31-1, with UA junior forward Kristi Lorona getting the only shot for the Wildcats.
Lorona said the loss hurt because all year the team was taking steps forward in rebuilding the program.
"This year, our chemistry is better, we play with passion, and today, this was like us with (former head coach) Lisa Frazier," Lorona said. "Everything we worked for, we just threw it down the drain."
Lorona said the team didn't come out with passion.
"We weren't supporting each other. Everyone was just giving that 80 percent instead of the 100 percent," she said.
UA senior goalkeeper Inger Airheart said the shutout was just another realization that the team can't stop working hard.
"I think we got a little intimidated towards the middle of the game, and then at the end, it was like we were playing too defensive," Airheart said. "So we never got to get out of the defense. Everything was coming back, and we kept losing possession, so we couldn't turn over the game."
The Wildcats' mood going into yesterday's UCLA game was optimistic, after barely losing to No. 25 USC, 3-1, on Friday.
In that game, Trojan midfielders Ali Fennel and Isabelle Harvey scored for USC along with forward Jessica Edwards.
UA freshman forward Sierra Cristiano scored the lone goal for the Wildcats during the weekend.
In Friday's game, the Trojans (12-5-2, 4-3-1) outshot the Wildcats 16-8.
Arizona ends the season 3-15-2 overall and 0-8-1 in the Pac-10.
