KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat Naomi Chu and Mallory Miller share a laugh Thursday at media day. The women's soccer team opens their season Friday against Drake.

It is said that youth is wasted on the young, but for the Arizona women's soccer team, youth is what will carry the team throughout this season and many more to come.

During the Wildcat's media day Thursday the common theme among the players was about improving on last year's 5-12-1 record.

A total of 18 freshmen and sophomores are locked and loaded for what will be their first time in Arizona jerseys. With so much youth, however, leadership and experience are not lacking. Four juniors and seniors will provide the guidance for the underclassmen.

Seniors Naomi Chu and Tymarie Novak are the most experienced, junior Samantha Bartlett is a seasoned veteran and the addition of junior Lindsey Greenwood from Nebraska round out the college ball experience.

Greenwood said she was attracted to Arizona because of the style of soccer.

"It's a possession style of soccer," Greenwood said. "I like the school, coach and staff here."

The Wildcats have lost junior forward Liz Bartlett, who decided to take a permanent medical hardship after her two seasons at UA. Bartlett ended her career as the fifth all-time scorer in Arizona history with 10 goals on 76 shots.

Returning is last year's leading sophomore scorer Candice Wilks, who recorded eight goals and three assists during a season that landed a Pacific 10 Conference honorable mention.

"All we can do is hope for the best," Wilks said.

Fellow sophomore Vanesha Bailey led the team with five assists, which is one short of a team record. Bailey also tallied six goals. Bailey is moving from the front to the back to help keep the ball out of the backfield.

On defense, sophomore Lindsey Peeples looks to continue her stifling play now that she has experience as a Wildcat.

Hopes are high for the Wildcats this season after head coach Cathy Klein pulled in the 17th best recruiting class in the West region.

"There is so much talent here," Chu said. "Now we have depth and players that have so much heart."

"I wish I had more years to play with these girls," Novak said.

For Chu and Novak this is the last chance to reach the so far elusive NCAA Tournament but hopes are high for this group of youngsters.

"It is so possible that we reach the tournament this year," Chu said. "This is a new feeling for me."

Hours after the close of the team's media day Thursday the Wildcats took the field against Texas-El Paso losing 6-2 in a three thirty-minute period exhibition game.

Arizona's pair of goals was scored by Peeples and Greenwood in the sixth and 41st minutes, respectively.

The scoring began when Peeples headed the ball by the University of Texas El Paso goalie from a corner kick by freshman Jennifer Klein. In the 15th minute UTEP tied the game at 1-1, then just six minutes later the Miners took the lead to end the first period 2-1.

The Wildcats did not let the Miners put up any points in the second period and scored one of their own to even the game at 2-2. Greenwood sent a shot past the goalkeeper in the 41st minute after a free kick from Klein, who was again credited with the assist.

UA's defense, led by Peeples, held off UTEP for the remainder of the second period while the offensive attack sent 13 shots to the net, compared to UTEP's 10.

The final minutes of the third period saw a barrage of Miner goals as the visitors notched four in a 13-minute time span.

Greenwood finished the game with three shots on goal as did freshman Mallory Miller. Freshman Lisa Kosena tallied two shots on goal.

Arizona opens its season when they host the Wildcat Invitational Labor Day weekend against Drake at 7:30 p.m. Friday. UA will play again Sunday at 2 p.m. against Cal Poly.