Wildcat veterans starting to show their presence

Karen C. Tully Arizona Daily Wildcat UA forward Nikki Jones (4) gains control of the ball during the Wildcats' battle against the University of Texas El Paso last Sunday. Arizona will face New Mexico and Creighton University this weekend.

After last weekend's 3-2 come-from-behind win over Texas and 1-0 overtime defeat of Texas-El Paso, the Wildcats have themselves set up to match the last season's win total with two wins this weekend.

The Wildcats play New Mexico tonight at 7 at Murphey Stadium and Creighton University on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The team's maturity has been apparent - the games that in years past always seemed to slip away are now being won. The big difference is this year's team has faith and desire.

"The attitude comes from higher-caliber players," said defender Jennifer Ginsberg, one of three remaining members of the 1994 inaugural team. "It is all about having confidence. "Now, we finally have a reason for it."

The Wildcats now know they can hold onto a lead and have the potential to come back if they are down.

"Now that we have proved our level of play we have confidence and higher expectations," said Nikki Jones, the team's top returning scorer. "To attain this each player needs to do their part all of the time."

Head coach Lisa Fraser is pleased with the younger players as well.

"The change you've seen is in our chemistry," Fraser said. "Everyone is getting used to each other and the freshmen are stepping up, showing us what they can add to the team."

The Wildcat backfield has been practicing to polish their defensive play, while the offense is working on getting good shots after the defense gives them the ball.

"For the three years I've been here we've worked hard to get good positioning and well placed balls up front," Jones said. "We finally have that, now we are one step away from completing the plays-we just need to finish."

With their newfound success, the Wildcats have made a point to keep perspective on the season.

Tonight's game against the Lobos will be a difficult test for the Wildcats. UNM improved its overall record to 6-1-0 with wins over San Francisco University and then No. 16 Stanford.

"UNM is playing good soccer right now but so are we," Fraser said. "It always a good match with these two teams."

The Arizona coaches know the Lobos are a physical and quick team and that the Lobos rely heavily on senior forward Laurie Hegedorn for most of their scoring.

There is a lot to gain for the Wildcats if they are successful.

"If we win both games this weekend we will be ranked in our region for the first time ever," Jones said.

Two wins this weekend will put the Wildcats on a four-game winning streak, tying their longest streak ever.

"There is a sense of urgency among the returners to win this weekend," Ginsberg said. "It is our last chance to have a winning season."