Soccer team in unfamiliar territory as it begins conference play

A single Pac-10 victory in the past two years.

This is not exactly the record of a conference powerhouse. However, if there ever was a year to turn that trend around, this could be it.

"As a whole we go into Pac-10 play as a better team than in years past," head coach Lisa Fraser said.

The UA soccer team is 6-5-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference, but its improved play has put it in position to provide a viable challenge with the conference elite.

Southern Cal and UCLA lead the pack with overall records of 11-1-1 and 10-2, respectively. With conference play beginning last weekend, the two are tied for first with 2-0 records resulting from road wins against Stanford (4-7, 0-2) and California (5-6-1, 0-2).

After last season's conference record (0-7), the Wildcats have nowhere to go - but up.

One thing that should help is the edition of teams in the conference. Every Pac-10 school now fields a women's soccer team, so given the relative inexperience of the conference should help Arizona's chances.

"This year our depth is showing," Fraser said. "We have a very young team, but a lot of skilled young players."

UA's lone conference victory in the past two years came in a close 3-2 match against USC on Oct. 5 during the 1996 season.

"Our defense is starting to click," Fraser said. "Which is crucial come time for conference opponents."

The Wildcats play Washington (4-8, 2-0) Friday and Washington State (7-4, 2-0) on Sunday. Both games are on the road.

Arizona coaches are staying with the zone defense. It's worked - most of the goals scored have been a result of penalty kicks, not the defense getting beaten.

"I honestly believe we can make some waves in the conference this season," senior defender Jen Ginsberg said. "This is the best all around team we've had since I've been here."

One more win ties the school record for wins in a season -æthe team had six in 1995.

"Every win is so crucial to our postseason," senior defender Melissa Kessler said. "If we continue to win these games we could still go to the tournament."