With the addition of a highly talented freshman class, the Arizona women's soccer team is hoping to make a strong impact in the Pacific 10 Conference this season.

Head coach Lisa Fraser, who has coached Arizona's team since its inaugural season in 1994, said she expects her team to cross the .500 mark this season.

"There are games that last year we lost 2-1 or 3-2, that this year we have a good chance of coming back and fighting for that win," Fraser said.

She said during the Wildcats' first season the team focused on adjusting to the collegiate level of play and training. Last season, the team finished with a 6-11 record. This season, however, the team has brought in seven scholarship athletes in addition to four walk-on players.

"This season, the freshmen are in a good position to start and have an impact on the team," senior co-captain Christine Keeley said.

Keeley, a forward from Tucson who was the leading scorer last season, said there is enough talent to have some exciting competition for starting positions this year.

"Last year we didn't have the talent to play around with the lineup," Keeley said.

This season, the team will be playing at a brand new facility. Instead of afternoon games at Pima Community College, the Wildcats will now be playing evening games at Murphey Soccer Stadium.

Fraser said she believes the new stadium and having night games is going to make a big difference for the team.

"I think that's going to allow us to start a better fan base and have fans that are able to go to all of our games," Fraser said.

Fraser said she thinks the gold medal the U.S. women's Olympic soccer team won this summer will have a definite effect on the sport.

"I think it's finally going to give women's soccer the recognition that's due," Fraser said.

Sophomore Nikki Jones, a forward from Portland, Ore., said the exposure women's soccer got in the Olympics will bring more fans out this season, in addition to giving women soccer players more respect.

Fraser said the biggest difference this year is the depth that has been added this season.

"We brought in players who have a wealth of experience. They have competed at high levels, and they have trained at a higher level than just an average club team," Fraser said.

The team has been practicing for almost two weeks, and Fraser said that because of the large number of players and added depth, every practice is competitive.

With the defenders' experience and maturity, Fraser expects the team to have a strong defense this season.

Keeley said the veteran players have been giving the freshmen positive feedback this season.

Fraser said that the talented freshman class has really excited the older players.

"The addition of the new players with a high level of play has created a real competitive, but positive, atmosphere," Fraser said.

The Wildcats open their season Sunday at Montana.

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