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Records fall, but soccer has much improvement to make

As the UA women's soccer team capped off its season this past weekend with a win over Oregon State and a tie with Oregon, they only began to show glimpses of their potential.

The Wildcats (7-10-2 overall, 1-7-1 Pacific 10 Conference) finished the year as the second most successful team in the program's history.

"I feel we did a lot better than last season," sophomore midfielder Marisa Padula said. "This year was such a huge improvement."

Along the way, the UA broke several team and individual records.

The team became the most prolific offensive team in school history, amassing a total of 30 goals this season, breaking the old school record of 26, held by the 1995 and 1997 teams.

The UA also set the record for most points in season with 76 (two points for a goal, one for an assist), breaking the record by six points.

Even with the team records, sophomore midfielder Twila Kaufman thought there was much to improve on.

"We can do better, we lost two seniors and the rest of us are looking to come back and prove we can do better," Kaufman said. "There's room to improve in every area for us."

Leading the scoring assault for the Wildcats this year was junior college transfer Chrissy Sanford.

"It was a step up definitely from junior college to out here," junior forward Sanford said. "I didn't know how the transition would be, and it seemed to go pretty smoothly."

In just one season Sanford cemented her name among the greatest players in the programs history.

Sanford tied the school record for most goals in a season with 11, placed second in assists for a season with five and set the school record for total points in a season with 27.

Included with her scoring records, Sanford also became the only Wildcat ever to be named Pac-10 Player of the Week.

The other record to fall was the career minutes played, which junior goalkeeper Inger Airheart put claim to.

Head coach Lisa Fraser wasn't left out either, as she captured her 100th career win in the first game of the season, a 4-1 victory over Northern Arizona.

Even with all the records, the Wildcats proved to be a team of streaks as they tied a school record with a three-game winning streak, but also had losing streaks of three-and six-games.

"I think that was just the way our schedule was set up," sophomore goalkeeper Shannon Monti said. "Honestly, I think it was timing."

UA still has much to improve on in the 2000 season, as they will strive for their first winning season in the program's history.

"We definitely have high expectations," Padula said. "We can definitely be in the top five in the Pac-10."

The Wildcats head into the off-season knowing they finished the season playing their best soccer of the year.

"It gives a good building start for next season," Airheart said. "It gives a good positive end.that gives me a lot to work for."