KEVIN B. KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona freshman forward Lauren Winters escapes from Kent State sophomore Amanda Messer during the Wildcats 3-0 victory Sunday. Arizona fell, 2-1, in its opening match against Iowa State, Friday at Murphey Stadium.

As the saying goes, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The UA women's soccer team probably wishes that list included soccer.

The Wildcats outshot their opponents 32-13 en route to one win and one loss at the Four Points University Plaza Arizona Invitational this weekend at Murphey Stadium. Their 1-1 record in the tournament earned them runner-up honors.

On Friday night, the Cats lost to eventual tournament champion Iowa State, 2-1. Junior forward Candice Wilks scored the lone goal for the Wildcats off a penalty kick after being taken down hard in the box.

Iowa State scored in the second minute and the 28th minute, but the Wildcat defense stifled the team for the rest of the game, allowing just seven shots the entire game. The Wildcats attempted 13 shots, with only the penalty goal to show for it.

Friday's game was a physical one. Seven yellow cards were given out, just two of those for the Wildcats ÷ including one to new head coach Dan Tobias in his first game at the UA following his arrival from Washington State. Iowa State racked up 25 fouls, while the Wildcats committed 18 fouls overall in the game.

"I'm not one to ever question the officiating," Tobias said. "Both teams are physically very strong, though. Soccer is a contact sport, whether you think it is or not."

In the other action on Friday, Weber State and Kent State battled to a 1-1 double-overtime tie.

Sunday's game against Kent State was less physical for the UA, while its offense found a niche as well, pushing the Wildcats to a 3-0 win.

Sophomore midfielder Lisa Kosena scored in the 14th minute, putting in a rebound off a corner kick by fellow sophomore midfielder Courtney Moseley. In the 50th minute, freshman midfielder Erin Bevacqua scored the Wildcats' second goal of the game off a pass from junior defender Lindsey Peeples from the top of the box.

The Wildcats put the game away in the 70th minute, and junior forward Candice Wilks put Kent State away with a goal, with sophomore Erin Clewett adding the assist.

Arizona outshot its opponent again, notching 19 to Kent State's six.

Of the UA's 19 shots, many were excruciatingly close to hitting the back of the net for goals, missing either high or wide of the net.

Wilks knew the frustration all too well. Coming into the game as a reserve, Wilks picked up four shots, including one that hit the post to go along with a pair of breakaways that pushed just wide.

Wilks flourished in her reserve role in this game, jump-starting the UA offense by creating scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.

Wilks, usually a starter during her career at Arizona, said that coming off the bench doesn't change how hard she plays.

"You don't lose any intensity (coming off of the bench)," Wilks said. "You can affect the game with your energy."

Wilks also felt the team has improved from last season, and even showed improvement in comparison to the Iowa State game.

Tobias agreed with Wilks' assessment.

"Today we didn't make as many errors as we did on Friday. We worked hard not to let those happen again," Tobias said. "We still have a tremendous amount of things we can build on, but we're excited about what we've done so far."

On the defensive side of the ball for the Wildcats, junior goalkeeper Krystal Werges was not challenged much Sunday, but came up big when she was. She had four saves on the game. Her defenders put in a strong performance, led by junior Lindsey Peeples, who was named defensive Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Also on Sunday, Iowa State downed Weber State 1-0, with ISU's Amy Flores earning offensive MVP honors.

Wildcat sophomore standout Kelly Nelson, a second team All-Pacific 10 Conference selection as well as the team MVP last season, sat out the weekend's action after injuring her foot in practice last week. Tobias said he expects Nelson to be ready when the Wildcats hit the road next weekend at the Nike Tiger Invitational in Columbia, Mo. Arizona is set to take on Arkansas on Friday and host Missouri on Sunday.