Wildcat Review: Football Team Prepped for Homecoming

Evan Rosenfeld, University Relations - Communications
Nov. 6, 2014

It's homecoming week, and for the 100th edition the University of Arizona football team will host Colorado on Saturday at 6 p.m. Can't make the game? It will be available on the Pac-12 Network and online.

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

During his weekly press conference, held Monday, head coach Rich Rodriguez spoke about the team's preparation for the game on the heels of a disappointing loss at UCLA.

"We're ready to move on to Colorado. There are a lot of things we need to get better at, but I think our guys are very conscientious," Rodriguez said.

Here is a review of the past week for the UA's teams:

Softball: UA Takes Two From Pima Community College

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

The UA softball team posted two victories over Pima Community College. On Tuesday, the Wildcats were an offensive force, outscoring their opponent 23-2 behind home runs from redshirt senior shortstop Kellie Fox, sophomore infielder Mo Mercado and sophomore utility player Katiyana Mauga. The trio drove in 11 of Arizona's runs.

Additionally, redshirt senior utility player Chelsea Suitos led the team with five hits over the two games, and sophomore outfielder Eva Watson had four hits in five at-bats. Suitos and Watson each contributed two RBI.

Women's Swimming: Wildcats Sweep Utah, UNLV

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Junior backstroker Bonnie Brandon was instrumental in the Lady Wildcats' sweep of Utah and UNLV last weekend at the Buchanan Natatorium in Las Vegas. The UA women continued their undefeated season and placed first in every event. In addition to contributing to Arizona's first-place finishes in the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley relays, Brandon built on the successes of her much-decorated collegiate career, claiming first place in the 100-yard backstroke (55.23 seconds) and 100-yard freestyle (50.62).  

The men's team suffered a loss to Utah before dispatching UNLV and was led by junior breaststroker Andrew Sovero. Sovero helped Arizona secure a victory in the 200-yard medley relay and also placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Volleyball: Wildcats Make Adjustments, Bounce Back Vs. Utah

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Arizona volleyball fell to Colorado last Friday evening despite seeing four players record double digits.

Senior outside hitter Madi Kingdon's 19-kill performance wasn't enough to lift the Wildcats to victory over the Buffaloes, as Colorado held the UA to a hitting percentage of .098. Sophomore setter Penina Snuka recorded her 17th double-double of the season, dishing out 36 assists and contributing 15 digs. Senior liberos Ronni Lewis and Kennedy Wesley pitched in with 13 and 11 digs, respectively.

The Wildcats bounced back the next night with a straight-set victory over Utah.

Arizona compiled a .296 hitting percentage – the Wildcats' best since Oct. 8 – and held the Utes to .181. Sophomore outside hitter Ashley Harris notched 13 kills on 28 attacks. Kingdon led all players with 14 kills, while senior outside hitter Taylor Arizobal recorded seven kills on 16 swings.  

Soccer: Wildcats Defeat Utah on Road

Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics

Last Friday, the women's soccer team defeated Utah, 2-1, on the road in Salt Lake City.

Freshman midfielder Gabi Stoian continued to impress in her first collegiate season, scoring both of the Wildcats' goals. Stoian first found the net early in the second half when a cross from sophomore midfielder Jaden DeGracie found Stoian undefended at the far post. The goal was Stoian's 11th of the season and the assist was DeGracie's third. No more than 10 minutes later, Utah retaliated, tying the score with a 35-yard shot on goal. Stoian reclaimed the Wildcats' advantage with her 12th goal of the year.   

On Sunday, Arizona found itself in early trouble, down in the early minutes against Colorado. The Buffaloes capitalized, taking a two-goal lead in the opening minutes of the second half. The Wildcats tightened the match in the 71st minute when Stoian successfully converted a penalty kick for her fifth goal over the past four contests. Stoian's 13 goals are tied for the second-highest in a season in UA history. Arizona threatened to tie the score in the 77th minute, sending midfielders forward to help on offense, but Colorado took advantage of the shift and scored its final goal at the 87:21 mark. 

Notable Mention

Both cross country teams concluded the conference season after placing eighth in the Pacific-12 Cross Country Championships last Friday in Oakland, Calif.

Arizona's top finisher in the women's 6K race was senior Kristina Aubert, who placed 32nd overall with a time of 21:06. The top UA finisher in the men's 8K race was senior Sam Macaluso, who placed 29th overall with a time of 24:23.

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