Tonight the Arizona soccer team takes I-10 north to a place sometimes referred to as hell, but known to the cartographer as Tempe, where it will open the Pacific 10 season.

Webster's definition of jinx is "one that brings bad luck," which is exactly what Arizona State (7-1-2) has held over the Wildcats (5-4-1) for the last seven meetings between the two.

ASU, ranked 16th by Soccer America but unranked by the NSCAA Coaches Poll, is on a six-game winning streak that has only allowed one goal, and moreover the Sun Devil defense has let up only six goals all season.

"This is the best team they've ever had," said UA head coach Cathy Klein. "And this is the best team we've ever had."

ASU's only loss of the season was a close 2-1 defeat Sept. 8 against SMU, and last week they overwhelmed NAU 4-1.

Sun Devil sophomore goaltender Kelly Fitzgerald has played all 10 matches for the Devils, racking up 45 saves, 0.57 goals-against-average in 943 minutes with four shutouts.

"We're not worried about that," said Kelly Nelson, Wildcat and current Pac-10 scoring leader with 18 points from her nine goals. "I think it's a challenge."

Last year the Wildcats jumped out to an early 2-0 lead over ASU but fell in overtime 3-2.

Sophomore Candice Wilks was the first to score in last year's game.

"This year is going to be more intense, the freshmen haven't experienced it (rivalry) yet," she said. "Bodies will probably be flying."

With the success of this years team thus far, the Wildcats are looking to make a statement against the Sun Devils.

"We're very excited to play our rivals," senior Tymarie Novak said.

"It's payback time, this could definitely be the year," said senior Naomi Chu who has her last chance to beat the Sun Devils tonight. "They're home, they get the crowd and the field but we're bringing our 'A' game."

Last weekend Arizona played host to the Arizona Tournament that saw it bring its "A" game to dismantle Youngstown State 7-0 on Friday. They later fell 5-1 to Saint Louis in the championship game on Sunday.

"ASU is better then Saint Louis was," Klein said. "We expect more from ourselves, but all we worry about is what we can do."

Last weekend the time in net was split pretty evenly by both freshmen Amanda Martin (1.29 GAA) and Natalie Juarez (1.22 GAA), who each played a half in the Youngstown State game and in the Saint Louis game. Martin started and Juarez came in with minutes to play in the first half. Martin has started all 10 matches this season, playing 770 minutes with two shutouts, Juarez has played 150 minutes and the two have combined for three more shutouts.

The opening of the Pac-10 schedule is a first for 11 players who have never experienced it before, and the Wildcats are nothing but optimistic.

"We want to start the season off on a good foot," freshman Erin Clewett said.

Leading the Wildcats offensively will be Nelson, freshmen Lisa Kosena (11 points), freshman Maggie MacCool (9 points) and Clewett (4 points), the team's assist leader with four on the season.

Junior-transfer Lindsey Greenwood comes from Nebraska and a Big-12 schedule.

"I'm excited to start Pac-10 play for the first time," she said.

In his second year ASU head coach Ray Leone has a 17-9-3 wake behind him.

"They're good, very good," Klein said.