By
Audrey DeAnda
Arizona Daily Wildcat
This year's women's soccer coaches' poll, which picks Arizona to finish last in the Pacific 10 Conference, indicates only one thing to head coach Cathy Klein -history.
"Anytime that you're projected to finish last is more of an indication of history and what has happened in the past," Klein said. "(It indicates) how the team has performed in terms of winning and losing in the past."
The poll does not hold many surprises except for placing defending-champion Stanford behind UCLA for the conference's top spot.
Klein doesn't want to focus on the negative energy generated by the poll, claiming she can't control others' opinions.
"I'm only in charge of this team and our strengths and cultivating an environment that helps these kids to learn and helps them to be a better team," Klein said. "Whether we're picked 10th in the Pac or first in the Pac, my responsibilities are the still the same."
The Wildcats will open the season on the road this Friday at Tennessee.
With the Wildcats' eighth-place conference finish last season, along with their 7-10-2 overall record, Klein believes that the team can only improve.
"Do I think we're the worst team in the Pac? No, but you've got to earn people's respect everyday and in every practice," Klein said. "They've certainly earned my respect, and our first test will be this Friday."
The first-year coach is convinced that nothing short of excellence will change the minds of soccer pundits.
"Win, lose or draw - it doesn't matter, "Klein said. "We'll come back to the drawing board and they'll still think we'll be 10th in the Pac (10). We'll just still have to continue to move forward in a healthy and positive matter."
