Last minute goal shoots Wildcats over Texas-El Paso

Karen C. Tully Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior forward Nikki Jones attempts to score on Texas-El Paso goalie Brie-anne Robert in yesterday's game. The Wildcats won the match 1-0 in double overtime.

With the crowd dispersed and the last of the grounds crew gone for the night, long after freshman Brooke McManus scored her first collegiate goal with 46 seconds left in the second overtime, Lisa Fraser walked on the grass at center field at Murphey Stadium yesterday and yelled to no one in particular, "Yeah, we are 4-2."

For Fraser, it wasn't just the emotion from the 1-0 double overtime victory over Texas-El Paso that ended when McManus took it upon herself to maneuver past three defenders and score after nearly two hours of play and 48 shot attempts. Friday night's 3-2 come from behind win in the last 10 minutes over Big 12 Conference power Texas was part of it too.

Add the fact that in her three years as Arizona's inaugural coach her best record was 6-11 and 4-2-1 after seven games is something worth yelling about.

"This team makes a lot of opportunities for itself and it just keeps fighting," Fraser said. "Although it wasn't pretty, we got it done today and it came from a total team effort.

"I think we have seven players now that have scored, it's not just one girl. That is a big change for us compared to the past."

Arizona dominated UTEP from start to finish, outshooting the Miners 49-13, but couldn't find a way to score. Shots were either wide, high or in the reach of UTEP goal keeper Brie-anne Robert, who seemed to always know the right time to stay in or come out of the goal box.

The UA defensive wall made of seniors Jennifer Ginsberg, Melissa Kessler and juniors Veronica Ramirez and Kate Mattson was airtight. Inger Airheart recorded her third shutout, a UA record.

"Our defense was awesome," junior striker Nikki Jones said. "We just have to capitalize on more shots. I mean 49 shots in one game and we only score once, that has to be improved on."

Had Arizona not scored, the day would have been a step backward from the game against Texas, but like any team on the rise, they found a way to make the big play.

"I think we are going to be good, really," Ginsberg said. "We have a lot of confidence we can win now that we didn't last year. Our chemistry is good, our talent is good, I honestly think we could have a good year."