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Senior midfielder/forward Twila Kaufman kicks the ball downfield as a teammate looks on during a game last season at Murphey Field.

Friday September 21, 2001

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Since she was hired more than a year ago, UA head soccer coach Cathy Klein stressed the importance of improvement, game by game.

After starting the 2001 season with a 2-1 record - the only loss to coming No. 5 Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. - it appears Klein's lofty goals are within reach.

"It's important that we continue to move two steps forward," Klein said. "Both games are good opportunities to prove to ourselves and others that we are for real in order to move in a forward direction. There's absolutely no doubt (in their ability)."

Trying to build on a two-game winning streak, the Wildcats (2-1-0) will face two non-conference opponents - Pepperdine tonight and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Sunday afternoon - at UA's Murphey Stadium this weekend.

Pepperdine leads the Wildcats, 3-1-0 in their all-time series and defeated UA, 3-2, last year in Malibu, Calif.

Showing off a 3-0-1 record, the Waves promise to be more difficult to handle than New Mexico and Southern Utah, Arizona's last two opponents.

While the Wildcats will try to add to their modest winning streak, assistant coach Melissa Estrada said she expects the Waves to bring physicality and athleticism to tonight's match.

"Basically, we're going to have to be composed, hard-working and at maximum tempo for 90 minutes," Estrada said. "It's going to be a hard-fought game. They are very physical and the team that is the most physical and intense will win this game."

UNLV is coming off a win as well.

The Lady Rebels (2-1-2) shut out Southern Utah - the same team the Wildcats defeated two weeks ago - 3-0 on Monday.

Although both teams are expected to challenge Arizona, Klein said her team's toughest challenge will come from other within.

"Our greatest opponents will be ourselves," Klein said. "We're approaching every game the same and we have the speed, athleticism and talent to compete with any team on the schedule."

Estrada said the team's two-game streak could snowball with a weekend sweep.

"We've only had three games, but when you start to win, you begin to get confident," Estrada said. "They're on a roll. They see what it takes to win and they're getting used to that feeling."

The Wildcats kick off at Murphey Stadium tonight at 7 p.m. and noon on Sunday.