Soccer falls short over weekend

Aaron Wickenden Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore midfielder Kendra Gefvert (23) kicks the ball at practice Wednesday. The Wildcats lost to South Alabama and tied New Mexico this weekend in Albuquerque, N.M.

"Overall it was a very disappointing weekend," assistant coach Jen Netherwood said. "We did not expect to come back with a loss and a tie."

The Wildcats traveled to Albuquerque, N.M., with high expectations and confidence, hoping to achieve their season goal of allowing only two losses during their current three-week road tour, Netherwood said.

With one weekend left on the road and two games ahead of them, the Wildcats stand at 1-2-1.

The team began its weekend Friday night with a 3-2 loss to South Alabama.

"We could have beat the team," freshman defender Erin Warner said. "We were definitely the better team and the team that was supposed to win. It was a very tough loss, especially because we dominated the game."

Warner added that the tie on Sunday with New Mexico was also a "loss."

"We were really hoping for a win," she said.

With 16 shots on goal apiece, the Wildcats and Lobos finished the game tied 1-1 after two 15 minute overtime periods.

"We had lots of shots on goal, but it was just a matter of getting the ball in the net," freshmen midfielder Kimberly McGehee said.

Head coach Lisa Fraser, who returned to the team this weekend after having a baby boy a couple of weeks ago, said that the Wildcats would work on finishing and possession in practice this week.

"It's great to be back with the team. It was hard to be away. Now we just got to get back on track," she said.

While the team struggled, sophomores Elena Galvan, Brooke McManus and Kendra Gefvert each scored a goal for Arizona.

Gefvert and junior Megan Canaday also added assists.

As far as the team's original road goal set for the season, the players still have confidence in achieving it, they said.

"We're not too far off our original target. We just have to win the next games. There's no doubt that we need to go into the games, stepping up both physically and mentally," Netherwood said.

The Wildcats will have a chance to redeem themselves at the James Madison Tournament in Harrison, Va., this weekend. Their first match is Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Kansas.

Kate Longworth can be reached via e-mail at Kate.Longworth@wildcat.arizona.edu.