Conference temperature heats up for UW women

In Pac-10 soccer, nobody can be taken lightly. Every team in the conference knows that in order to win it must come out and play fiercely for 90 minutes, and even that may not be enough.

The 16th-ranked Husky women will try to keep this in perspective when the Arizona schools visit this weekend. The Huskies (2-1 Pac-10, 8-3-1 overall) take on the Arizona Wildcats tonight at 7, followed by the Arizona State Sun Devils Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Huskies have a perfect all-time record against both schools, but know better than to take anything for granted.

"Our team has always been the type where we assume that teams are going to rise to the occasion and have their best game against us," said coach Lesle Gallimore. "We're a humble team that knows that any team on any given day can win in this sport, and statistics mean nothing."

The Wildcats (2-2, 5-7-1) are led by Candice Wilks' seven goals and goalkeeper Shannon Monti's 1.86 goals against average. For the Sun Devils (1-3, 7-7), Patrice Feulner leads the way with 10 goals, while goalkeeper Kristin Slater holds a 1.19 goals against average.

"These are the types of teams that have breakaway speed, and if you're caught napping they can hit one over the top and get in on you pretty easily," Gallimore said.

The UW's stingy defense has allowed just 0.56 goals per game and will be relied upon this weekend. Junior goalkeeper Hope Solo, who boasts three shutouts and 42 saves, will be expected to contribute as well.

"It's focusing on what we have to do to succeed, and that's playing to our advantages," said junior defender Vanessa Pierce. "Little things when they come together can make a big deal."

The Huskies hope those little things will help them defend their title in a conference where every game is a battle.

"It's nine games of just knock-down drag-out war, and it's fun for that reason," Gallimore said. "It makes your players better."