JON HELGASON

UA freshman midfielder/forward Candice Wilks advances the ball past a Pepperdine defender Friday night at Murphey field. The Wildcats and the Wave played to a draw.

Monday September 24, 2001

Women's soccer battle after trailing at half

When Arizona women's soccer head coach Cathy Klein spoke to her team this weekend during the halftimes of her team's games against the University of Nevada Las Vegas and Pepperdine, she said she was not impressed by her team's effort.

Shutout in the first 45 minutes of play by both teams, Klein said she knew her team was going to have to play better.

"I was very disappointed in their play," Klein said. "I know they can do it, I've seen them do it and I expect them to show it."

However, in the second half of play, Klein said a new Arizona team took the field at Murphey Stadium.

Combining for four goals in the second half of Sunday's match, UA (3-1-1) came from behind to defeat UNLV (2-3-2), 4-1 and tie Pepperdine(3-0-2), 2-2 Friday night.

"In the second half, I was as excited and as proud as I've ever been (of her team)," she said. "I can't express to this team enough just how much I believe in them."

Three minutes into the second half of yesterday's match against the Lady Rebels, freshman midfielder/forward Candice Wilks turned the momentum in the Wildcat's direction.

Wilks scored UA's first goal of the afternoon, tying the score, 1-1.

After Wilks' goal, forward/defender, Liz Bartlett added one of her own.

Wilks, however, was not done for the day.

The UA freshman - who said she could feel the intensity build on the Wildcat bench - contributed her second goal of the afternoon with just under 16 minutes remaining.

"It was our intensity (that won the game)," Wilks said. "Everyone could feel it. We wanted to come back in the second half and win, and it showed."

The Wildcats - who Klein said led the fans on a rollercoaster ride - were not finished.

With 29 seconds remaining in the game, senior midfielder Katie Winship scored her first goal of the season as the Wildcat's defeated UNLV.

Friday's second half against the Waves did not come as easy for UA.

Freshman midfielder/defender Vanesha Bailey tied the game for the Wildcats 1-1 before freshman forward Cassie Daniels put them ahead, 2-1.

Pepperdine responded with a goal of its own to send the game to overtime.

After two 15-minute extra frames, neither team was able to score a goal, and the game ended in a tie.

After coming back from behind, Bailey said she was discouraged.

"It's frustrating because we wanted it so bad and it was at the tip of our feet," Bailey said. "We just couldn't get the ball in."

With yesterday's victory, the Wildcats (3-1-1) matched last season's number of wins.

Building on a four-game winning streak, Klein said this is a new Arizona team.

"We're not a doormat anymore," Klein said. "People expect to lose at ASU and expect to beat Arizona. Those days are over."