Soccer almost locks-in victory in Pac-10

The Wildcats made the Trojans fight for their first Pac-10 championship and NCAA berth, taking the game past into overtime yesterday afternoon before falling, 2-1. At almost the eight minute mark of the sudden death overtime, the Wildcats fell to the ground in defeat as their last game of the season ended with a Trojan's direct penalty kick.

"It was a tough call," said UA assistant coach Bruce Caris, referring to the penalty called on Arizona's defense for holding in its own goal area. "You never blame the officials, but that was a tough way to end the game."

Junior forward Jill Micone helped the Wildcats keep a lead the majority of the game with her goal off sophomore midfielder Brooke McManus' assist in the first 10 minutes of the game.

USC, finishing at 7-2-0 in the Pac-10, matched the score with only 17 minutes left in the game, carrying the game to overtime, where Isabelle Harvey sealed the Trojan victory on the penalty kick.

"We played with a lot of heart," Caris said. "Everyone, both on and off the field showed up today to play, and they all really cared about the game."

The Wildcats finished off the season at 3-12-2 overall and 0-8-1 in the Pac-10, after falling to the Bruins (16-3-1,6-2-0), 4-0 Friday evening.

UA head coach Lisa Fraser ended her 14th coaching season just one victory short of her 100th career win mark.

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