by Joe Farcone

Ever since she was born, Kaitlyn Lopez was destined to be an Arizona Wildcat. Lopez was born and raised right here in Tucson. Her father and her grandparents attended the university, so it was obvious that Lopez knew where she wanted to attend school and compete in collegiate soccer. Now in her senior season, Lopez reflects on what it has been like to play so close to home.

“It's the best because my parents, grandparents  and a lot of people I know, love, and have grown up with are able to come and support me,” Lopez said. “That means a lot to me.”

The soccer program has come a long way since she joined the team her freshman year in 2012, and Lopez has had a big role in turning it around. She has always been a fan of the Wildcats growing up and remembers what the team was like even before she got here. 

“I think it was the year before I came here that we won one game, which must have been rough,” Lopez said. “It has been so crazy from my freshman year to now, seeing how far we have come and just the complete change in attitude and mentality.”

Lopez is excited to see what this team can do in her senior year, but to begin the year she was sidelined with a knee injury. Lopez missed the first six matches of the season, but is relieved to have finally returned from it and make contributions out on the field again.

“After how well we did last year I was excited to get back,” Lopez said. “It was a little disappointing to get hurt right off the bat, but it was fun watching the team do so well because we really came out with a bang and that just made me more excited to get back.”

Lopez didn't allow her injury to restrain her from making contributions off the field as she spent that time acting as a mentor for the younger players.

“Not being able to play forced me to be more of a leader mentally,” Lopez said. “I helped the younger players get on board with what we are doing and push the team that way instead of my contributions on the field.”

Now that Lopez is back she is determined to help the team reach their goals.  “I want to get back into the tournament,” Lopez said. “And hopefully go further than we did last year.”

No matter the end result of the season, Lopez can always be proud of what her and her teammates have done during their time here to build a legacy for the program.

“Comparing my freshman year to now, we have changed the whole mentality of the team,” Lopez said. “We expect to win, we expect the best of each other, we push each other to do the best and building a legacy is that we expect this from here on out.”

On top of that, Lopez has found that playing for a winning program is a lot more fun too.

“Winning is fun,” Lopez said. “It makes it a lot more enjoyable. It feels great waking up in the morning and knowing we are a legitimate program now and that I am a part of that.”

Now that Lopez is back and healthy, Arizona will get a better look at the bigger picture and what they will be able to accomplish as a team. Lopez and her teammates are determined to keep the winning attitude going throughout the season.

Lopez and the Wildcats look to keep it going this Friday when they take on the Oregon Ducks at home at 7 p.m. MST.