FILE PHOTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore Kelly Nelson dribbles downfield during agame last season. Nelson paced the Wildcats with 13 goals.

A new coach, another year of experience for the team's numerous underclassmen and nine returning starters are signs that things could be looking up for the Arizona women's soccer team.

With 16 letter winners returning, the Wildcats are almost certain to improve their 6-12-1 (1-8-0, Pacific-10 conference) record from a year ago.

Most of the returning women are sophomores who were instrumental in the Wildcats' successes last season. Standing out from the crowd is sophomore Kelly Nelson, who was a second team all-Pac-10 performer and was the team's MVP. She scored 13 goals and had one assist last season.

New head coach Dan Tobias, who came to the UA from Washington State over the summer, expects even more leadership from Nelson, the team's marquee playmaker.

"Kelly is certainly one of our captains this year along with Lindsey Greenwood," he said. "I think the leadership those two provide on a daily basis is just great."

Two redshirt sophomores who could prove to make a difference this season are defender Heather Nelson and forward Cassie Daniels. Both have recovered from ACL injuries that kept them sidelined all of last season. In 2001, Daniels had 4 goals and 4 assists, good for third on the team in points, with 12. She was also second on the team in shots on goal with 40.

The team returns 61 percent of its offense, led primarily by Kelly Nelson and 2002 Pac-10 Honorable Mention junior Lindsey Peeples.

Despite scoring seven more goals last season compared to 2001, the Wildcats had just one more win in 2002.

More offensive production should be expected from a more experienced team, most likely leading to more wins as well.

Tobias says that by improving the defense, the offense will also start to improve.

"What we're emphasizing is not just defensive organization but defensive efficiency," he said. "We want to make sure that when our opponent has the ball that everyone understands their role."

The 2003 season, which began with a 3-1 exhibition loss at UTEP on Saturday, will be full of obstacles for the Wildcats, but will give the team a chance to showcase its talent in one of the premier women's soccer conferences in the country. UCLA, Stanford, ASU, California and USC have each been included in various top-25 polls.

By playing 10 games away from Murphey Stadium ÷ six of them non-conference ÷ the team should be prepared for the tough Pac-10 schedule.

The team kicks off its 2003 season by hosting the Arizona Invitational. The Wildcats have invited Kent State, Weber State and Iowa State to make the trip to Tucson for the three-day event, opening Tobias' career with Arizona.

"I'm just honored to coach here, and we're excited to keep working hard and building a program everyone can be proud of," Tobias said.