JON HELGASON/ Arizona Summer Wildcat Womenās Soccer coach Cathy Klein gives instruction from the sidelines during last Octoberās game vs. Oregon State University.

Cathy Klein knows the definition of patience.

Since 1987 her career has been defined by the word.

So, when the UA womenās soccer coach arrived at Arizona on Jan. 11, 2000, she knew that she would have to have patience before she could see results.

After two seasons, Klein says, itās time for the patience to pay off.

"I just think that if you work this hard everyday for the last two and a half years it will turn out right," said Klein, whose team finished 5-12-1 last year. "I bet you itās this year."

A smart move would be to not bet against her either.

Just call Klein the architect of womenās soccer. Wherever she has coached she has had success.

She rebuilt Iowa State in the late ā90s and Creighton, Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., and Utica College before that.

"Essentially I was hired to rebuild this program," she said. "I have built or rebuilt programs all through my career and it seems to be what I do. So Arizona was no different from that. I have had ample experience doing that. Every day has been a challenge but every day there has been a reward as well."

Even with all the success Klein has had in the past, she realizes that she still has a lot to learn and has looked to two other UA coaches as role models.

"I continue to evolve as a coach and I watch the coaches here," Klein said. "I think (softball coach Mike) Candrea is a good role model and (volleyball coach David) Rubio is also great. I take from them. I try to become better every day. I have to become more patient."

Now Klein said she feels she has the talent at UA to bring the 8-year-old program to national prominence.

"This is the best team we ever had but we will be young," Klein said.

Not only is the program relatively new but the players on the team are as well. Nearly half of the 25 players on the team will be either freshmen or transfer students and only one player remains ÷ senior Naomi Jones ÷ that was on the team when Klein arrived.

Plus the 2002 recruiting class made up of nine girls comes from five different states and even includes one player from Canada ÷ Althea Jones.

Also, include returnees sophomore Vanesha Bailey, junior Liz Bartlett, sophomore Candice Wilks and sophomore Lindsey Peeples and Klein said she has the team that can compete in "college soccerās best conference."

"If you are in the top 7 in the Pac-10 you will go to the NCAA Tournament," she said. "We were only three spots from that. We have been dead last in the Pac-10 the last two years but we could play in many conferences in the country and be first, second or third. Being last in the Pac-10 does not mean that we arenāt a talented team."

The Wildcats do have talent.

UA is considered the second-fastest team in the conference.

Led offensively by Wilks (19 points) and Bailey (17 points), the tandem finished first and second in points last season and Wilks was named honorable mention All-Pac-10. With the arrival of Jones, who Klein says plays like Bailey, Arizona has a bright future.

"I like having a young team because it puts us in the position to do well in the future," Bailey said. "We will have a couple years to grow as a team."

Klein also likes transfer Lindsey Greenwood, who has played for Nebraska the last two seasons and made it to the Sweet Sixteen with the Huskers in 2001.

In 2002, Arizona will be without two players ÷ sophomores Cassie Daniels and Heather Nelson ÷ who are out for the season with ACL injuries.

In the net the Wildcats will have to rely on two newcomers ÷ freshman Amanda Martin and transfer-freshman Natalie Juarez ÷ after the departure of Shannon Monti, the teamās most valuable player last season.

"They will battle tooth and nail for the starting job," said Klein, who does not historically play two goalies. "Amanda is an athletically based reflex goal keeper. Natalie is more of a seasoned veteran. They have two different styles. It will be how they handle the pressure that will probably determine who starts."

The players have put pressure on themselves to come into the preseason physically fit.

On Aug. 15 the team will hold a fitness test and if a junior or senior doesnāt pass the test on their first try then they will not be able to play this season. Sophomores and freshmen will be given two chances.

"Last year I had a tough time passing the test but this year I know Iām ready for it," Bailey said. "I stayed in Arizona all summer and I feel confident."

The Wildcats will see if it all pays off when they open their 2002 season at home against Texas El Paso on Aug. 22.