Soccer aims for first win over ASU in home season opener

Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona soccer forward sophomore Megan Canaday dribbles the ball around defending ASU players, at a game last November. The Wildcats look for their first home game win tonight when they play against the ASU Sun-Devils at Murphey Stadium.

With last year's record of 5-13-1, Arizona enters tonight's home season opener against Arizona State with high hopes of keeping their untarnished record. The game is at Murphey Stadium at 7 p.m.

The Wildcats are 0-2 in the series, with both losses coming in the 1996 season.

"We are excited about the two wins, but we are keeping everything in perspective," UA assistant coach Jen Netherwood said. "We are heading into ASU with a lot of confidence, knowing it will be a difficult game."

This week in practice the Wildcats have been focused on "cleaning up" the defense and the midfield. Midfielders have been working on sliding back on defense and giving offensive support.

"We are looking for a big game from (junior) Megen Page in the midfield," Netherwood said.

"She played great games this weekend and we're looking for solid defensive play from her."

"The wins this past weekend have brought up our hopes and spirits for the season but we are taking it one game at a time," Page said.

UA defenders will be preparing for ASU's direct style of play. The Sun Devils send through balls and long balls for their offense to run on to.

"During the game we will work on basic things like containing a player and not stepping in," said senior Melissa Kessler, who was named a co-captain and leads the defense.

ASU is also coming off of a two game road trip against the University of Colorado and the University of Wyoming. The Sun Devils blanked both teams and scored four goals themselves.

"We are focused on playing ASU soccer and getting our freshmen on the same page," Sun Devil head coach Terri Patraw said.

"We are expecting a competitive game, they were a good solid team last year, but we don't know what to expect this year."

Sun Devil sophomore midfielder Aisha Thomas is considered one of ASU's best players.

"Aisha always has had a good game against U of A," Patraw said. "She's a solid player."

Arizona is not concerned about Thomas but they will be aware of her in the backfield.

"Our defense will match up well with their offense, especially in speed and strength," Netherwood said.

Arizona head coach Lisa Frazier is proud how well her young team is communicating.

"Our chemistry is really good right now and we are playing well together," Fraser said. "You are seeing more creativity from individual players, which is mixing well together."

"Our confidence is up and we're ready for ASU- we are winning this game," Kessler said.

Tonight is the official naming of Arizona's soccer field. It will be named the John and Helen Murphey Soccer Stadium in a ceremony held prior to the game.

The Murphey Trust Fund donated the money needed to build the stadium. John Murphey had the ideas behind the development of Tucson's Catalina Foothills area several years ago.