KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman forward Erin Clewett tries to get past USC defender Kaitlyn Pruett in Arizona's 2-1 loss to No.19 USC yesterday.

Two heartbreaking losses against ranked opponents this weekend seemed more like moral victories for the women's soccer team.

Arizona lost 2-1 in overtime yesterday against No. 19 Southern California after Friday's 1-0 loss to No. 7 UCLA. The close losses help continue the soccer program's yearlong improvement.

"The transformation of this program is a season-long process and it won't happen in one game," head coach Cathy Klein said. "We're really going to develop a belief in ourselves at the highest level and I think we're doing that."

The Wildcats (5-7-1 overall, 0-3 Pacific 10 Conference) sent yesterday's game into overtime when freshman Maggie MacCool scored from the right side of the goal box on a feed from fellow freshman Kelly Nelson in the 87th minute.

In overtime, Arizona held the momentum until sophomore forward Candice Wilks collided with Trojan goalkeeper Julie Peterson in the third minute. A foul was called for interference on Wilks and Peterson needed medical attention that delayed the game for five minutes.

Peterson remained in the game and cleared the ball downfield for Southern California (8-4-3, 3-1) which regained possession in Arizona territory.

After a series of passes, USC's Ali Fennell got through UA freshman goalkeeper Natalie Juarez and chipped in the golden goal in the fourth minute to foil Arizona's upset bid.

"It just happened so quickly and I felt like I didn't do anything wrong," senior midfielder Naomi Chu said.

It was a day of missed opportunities for the Wildcats. In the 27th minute, Chu was tripped in the Trojan goal box. Freshman forward Erin Clewett's penalty kick attempt was blocked by a fully extended Peterson in front of the lower right post.

In the 85th minute, defender Tymarie Novak chested a corner lob too far in front of her 20 yards from the USC goal. She was unable to connect for the shot.

"On the field, we try to find it in ourselves and it meant pride against USC, but today it wasn't the case," Chu said.

On Friday, UCLA's Jill Oaks scored the lone goal of the game on a penalty kick in the 67th minute. The Bruins (10-3, 2-1) out-shot the Wildcats 25-2 on the night. The close loss marked the first time in school history UA held UCLA to under four goals.

Despite the losses, Klein still wants the team to feel confident about its ability.

"For a person who is focusing on our won-loss record it may seem like it's a bit of the same old," Klein said. "But I adamantly believe that we are a completely different team this year that is as talented as anyone is in the Pac-10."

The Wildcats will hit the road next week and travel to Oregon to play both the Ducks and the Beavers.