Soccer falls in preseason tune-up

The UA women's soccer team fell to UTEP, 3-1, in exhibition action in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday.

The Miners scored all three of their goals in the first 26 minutes of the game, but the Wildcats shut them down for the remainder of the contest. Arizona scored its lone goal of the match in the 83rd minute, when freshman midfielder Erin Bevacqua found the back of the net off a breakaway.

The Wildcats had a 20-9 advantage in shots, including a 9-5 edge in shots on goal. Junior forward Candice Wilks registered a game-high six shots, with two on goal. Bevacqua finished with a total of five shots, four on goal, while fellow freshman Lauren Winters logged four shots, with three on goal.

The two Wildcat goalkeepers split time in the nets. Junior transfer Krystal Werges played the first 45 minutes of the match, allowing all three goals and logging two saves. Sophomore Natalie Juarez played the entire second half, facing only two shots with no saves.

The team returns to Tucson to officially kick off its 2003 campaign next weekend at Murphey Stadium (East 15th Street and South Plumer Avenue). The squad will play host to Kent State, Weber State and Iowa State in the Arizona Invitational.

The weekend set will mark the regular-season debut of new head coach Dan Tobias, who came to Arizona from Washington State on the heels of being named 2002 Pacific-10 conference coach of the year while with the Cougars.

Volleyball prepares to open season

The UA volleyball team, coming off its seventh straight 20-win season and third straight Elite Eight appearance, prepped Saturday for a new season in the annual Red-Blue scrimmage, held at McKale Center.

Led by returning sophomore standouts Bre Ladd and Kim Glass ö last year's AVCA national freshman of the year ö the group opens up its regular season schedule in Malibu, Calif., at the Pepperdine Classic. The Waves will play host to Arizona and Eastern Washington.

The team also showcases five incoming freshmen, including highly touted newcomer Stephanie Butkus, who looks to step in at setter.