Freshman goalkeeper already 'best ever' at UA

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat UA freshman goalkeeper Inger Airheart looks for an opening during the Arizona State game earlier in the season. Airheart holds the school record of five shutouts with six games still remaining.

"Inger is the best goalkeeper we have ever had at UA," said assistant coach Natalie McDowell. McDowell was a goalkeeper for University of Arizona head coach Lisa Fraser when she was at Washington State (1990- 93) and now coaches Arizona's goalkeepers.

"Coming in I knew she was a great keeper," Fraser said. "She is just a solid player in all aspects of her game."

With six matches remaining, Airheart's five shutouts have already broken a school record. On Oct. 3, UA beat Tennessee 2-0 and Airheart collected her fourth shutout, breaking former goalkeeper Jen Weibel's record of three.

"I credit my success to our defense," Airheart said. "We are doing really well and we are not allowing the opposing teams as many opportunities to score."

But shutouts are nothing new to Airheart. In her senior year at Oakmont High School in Roseville, Calif. she racked up 10 in 15 games, while missing part of the season due to a broken finger.

"To be honest I was a little worried about her height in the beginning," said Fraser of the 5-foot-4-inch Airheart. "But she has dispelled that and has been nothing but a great addition to our team."

Airheart said in her first year of collegiate soccer she wanted to establish her position.

"I wanted to step up and play well against the big teams and keep my goals against average low."

That she has done. Heading into Pacific 10 Conference play Airheart held a GAA of 1.02. She allowed one goal in 33 shots over the weekend.

Airheart notes that even with the success of the team, its record doesn't show perfection.

"Our losses happened because we didn't play to our capabilities. We need to maintain our consistency in all our games," Airheart said.

While Airheart has a record-breaking season, she has not been spared from having to make adjustments to college soccer.

"My expectations were to adjust to the fast style of life in college," Airheart said. "It definitely makes you more responsible - we always have to be somewhere."

Airheart is referring to the soccer team's many meetings and responsibilities. Freshmen are required to attend study tables four nights a week, for at least two hours each night. In addition, the players meet with their assigned coach and a member of the Arizona athletic academic services program once a week for an academic meeting.

On the field, Airheart has moved from a man-to-man style of defense in high school to a four-back zone style at Arizona.

"The level here is so much different than high school," said Airheart, who was a member of the Sacramento (Calif.) Area High School All-Star Team and the Olympic Development team for four years.

"Everything means so much. There is more pressure than in high school. I really like that because it's a higher level of intensity and a faster pace."

The coaches have noticed Airheart's level of soccer knowledge.

"She understands the game really well," Fraser said. "Last week we talked with her about controlling the tempo of the game through her distribution and she adjusted at the right times."

The Arizona coaches recognize they have found a solid player to build the program around.

"The team has become extremely confident with her in the back," Fraser said. "The defense is able to do their job without worrying about the routine saves.

"Inger has improved tremendously since she has been here. We will continue to work with her in the weight room and more time on the field. While she's here she will break a lot of records," she said.