This was almost it.

This year was very nearly the season that Arizona soccer had been waiting for, the year that the national spotlight would finally fall on Tucson and a top-six Pac-10 finish would earn the team its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid.

The season began true to the hype, but the reality of youth and inexperience took its toll on the Wildcats.

The best start in school history turned into another sub-.500 season, but UA should return everyone but two graduating seniors. Through the rises and falls, the women of Arizona soccer showed they have what it takes, and now the pressure for success is reaching a boiling point. Here's a report card for this season:

Grade:

A-

Forwards: If the record book is any indicator, this season is now the watermark for years to come. Redshirt freshman Kelly Nelson is vying for her place in the Hall of Champions after a season that saw her put up 13 goals and one assist, etching her name in the Arizona record book and leading the Pacific 10 Conference in goals and goals-per-game.

"This is the worst she'll be," head coach Cathy Klein said. "She is going to be even greater."

True freshmen Lisa Kosnea, Jennifer Klein and Erin Clewett all tallied four assists on the season. Kosena added four goals to her point total of 12. Another freshman, Maggie MacCool, recorded 11 points with five goals and one assist.

The offense pressured almost every defense it faced and found a way to knock off the best goalie in the nation in Washington's Hope Solo. No Arizona team has scored as much as this year's with 106 points, dusting the old record of 80.

Grade:

C

Midfield: The midfield was anchored by experience, but the youth stepped up just as planned for the Wildcats. Senior Naomi Chu and junior Lindsey Greenwood opened up the game for freshman Mallory Miller, who placed her name in the top 10 for Pac-10 shots. Courtney Moseley flexed her potential towards the end of the season, racking up minutes and points by proving her versatility in the front and the back fields. Klein and MacCool, along with freshman Traci Alder, logged minutes to add to the depth at midfield.

"They worked as hard as anyone ever has off the field," Klein said. "We're excited with the potential we have."

Grade:

B+

Defense: The opposition faced a stiff wall of cardinal and navy all season. Senior Tymarie Novak and sophomores Vanesha Bailey and Lindsey Peeples saw most of the minutes in the back lines. "We have players committed to year-round development," Klein said. All three made plays throughout the season that helped keep the Wildcats in most of their games. The speed and physical ability challenged most rival forwards, and the defenders found time to help the offense out.

"Their energy is amazing," said goalkeeper Amanda Martin after a 2-0 win against San Diego. "They figured out how to keep them out. My defense is amazing."

Freshmen Althea Jones and Klein challenged for time and added to the depth in the backfield, leaving the Wildcats solid and deep for next year.

Grade:

C

Goalkeepers: The time in front of the net was split throughout the season by two freshmen, Amanda Martin and Natalie Juarez. Martin began the season as net-minder, leading the Wildcats to a 4-3-1 record with two shutouts. The two began to split time in the net for several games and earned an additional three shutouts between the two of them, making the team's total five.

"Our inexperience in goal contributed to a few costly mistakes and created an adversity that our young players haven't learned how to handle yet," Klein said.

Juarez would start every Pac-10 game and stopped 56 shots and earned a 2.28 goals against average.

Grade:

C

Coaching: After a third year at the helm for Klein, things are looking pretty good for the Arizona program. Klein has a team of her own recruits. She has centered around a young core that has produced and will continue to produce as the team's maturity grows. In her first two seasons, Klein's teams have posted records of 3-15-2 and 5-12-1, respectively. The ceiling has not been set for this group. This season was supposed to finally be the breakout year for Arizona, but the dream seems to have been stalled another year. The offense exploded this year, and the fourth time around should continue to produce, but the rise to national prominence is now overdue for the Wildcats.

Grade:

C+

Overall: The road to excellence is paved with adversity, as the 2002 Arizona soccer team learned over the course of the season.

After a start of 3-0-1, the chaotic season ended for UA at 6-12-1, with only one win in the Pac-10 through a schedule that saw seven Top 25 schools play the Wildcats.

For a program building from the ground up with head coach Klein, the potential in the near future is unlimited.

"This is the best team we've ever had," Klein said.

Undeniably, the offense and the defense made the opposition work for what little they received.

"The kids really believe in themselves, despite our record," Klein said.