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By Kristen Davis
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 25, 1996
The Arizona soccer team hopes its week off will provide the spark to start dominating play and capture its first Pacific 10 Conference victory of the season.Arizona (5-10 overall, 0-5 in the Pac-10) has enjoyed its long overdue rest.
"We were on a long span of a lot of games and the week off was good for us," freshman forward Kristina Quiroz said.
The Wildcats hope their first Pac-10 win will come tonight when they battle Washington at Wildcat Soccer Field at 7 p.m.
The team had a productive week of practice and was able to work on all aspects of its game.
"We practiced with a lot more intensity," Quiroz said. "We worked on our passing and hitting our forwards to set up shot opportunities."
Washington (8-5, 2-1) was ranked sixth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll last week.
"Washington is just a technically sound team," head coach Lisa Fraser said. "They are an established team and we can't take them lightly."
The Huskies split a pair of Pac-10 matches last weekend, suffering a 1-0 overtime loss to UCLA last Friday and shutting out California 3-0 last Sunday.
"We need to go out strong and play tough for 90 minutes, and we have to capitalize on the opportunities we get," Quiroz said.
The Huskies are led by senior midfielder Erin Pochman, who has recorded five goals and three assists this season. Senior goalkeeper Tina Thompson has a 1.23 goals-against average and four shutouts in the Huskies' 13 matches.
Washington defeated Arizona 3-1 in the first-ever meeting between the teams of last season.
Arizona is coming off a two-game losing streak after a 4-2 loss to Arizona State on Oct. 15 and a 3-1 loss to Southern Cal last Friday. The Wildcats have just four games remaining in their season.
"These next four games can definitely be wins and we can improve," Quiroz said. "It's near the end of the season and we have to play hard to show we are a good team and can win."
Senior forward and co-captain Christine Keeley continues to dominate play for Arizona. Keeley is UA's scoring leader with six goals this season, sixth in the Pac-10.
Sophomore midfielder Nikki Jones is a close second with five goals. Freshman midfielder Sara Field is second in the Pac-10 and leads the Wildcats in assists with six.
It has not yet been determined who will get the start in the goal for Arizona. Senior goalkeeper Jen Weibel suffered a knee injury on Sept. 30 against Wyoming and may make her return tonight.
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