By Patrick Klein
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The 1995 Arizona women's soccer team has at least one thing in common with last year's squad Ÿ the same number of wins.
The big difference between the two teams is that this year's team got its third win Sunday, while the '94 team did not log its third until Nov. 4.
After going 3-11 in their inaugural season last year, the Wildcats have started to realize some success, beating Nebraska 2-1 on Friday and Creighton 1-0 on Sunday to raise their season record to 3-1.
Head coach Lisa Fraser attributes the team's progress to finally becoming comfortable with her methods.
"We're playing within the system," Fraser said. "Last year everyone was new and we lost a lot of games with the system, but we're used to it now and the players are adjusting."
Senior forward/midfielder Jennifer Duran had a simpler explanation.
"We have better players," Duran said, "and one year's experience, which helps a lot. It was always stressed that last year was a building block to this year and future years. But I think we've surprised a lot of teams."
While the winning record is more than acceptable, what really is encouraging for Fraser is that the team made that record exclusively on the road, and sweeping the Nebraska schools was an exclamation.
"It's great, to win two on the road is great, to win one on the road is great," Fraser said. "This past weekend was 50-50 on both games Ÿ they could have gone either way."
A big reason for the Wildcats' success in Cornhusker country was the play of junior goalkeeper Jennifer Weibel, who allowed just one goal while making 14 saves.
"She had a great weekend," Fraser said of her goalie. "She found her range in goal Ÿ some goalies can come out farther in the box than others Ÿ and she has found what she can do in the box."
While the team found success on the road, the Wildcats are happy to return to Tucson for their first home game Sept. 16 against UCLA.
"We're excited to be home," Fraser said. "We've been away for three weekends now, so it's time to come home."