TUCSON, Ariz. – Exhibition Match: Arizona vs. Northern Arizona // Fri., Aug. 12 // 7 p.m. PST // Tucson, Ariz. // Mulcahy Stadium // Twitter
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"The biggest thing for this season is that we want to win every game that we play," said head coach Tony Amato. "Ultimately, when we start off the first game of the year, we are at a certain point and we hope to keep developing and get better every step of the way, so that we are playing our best soccer as the year goes on. We know that in the beginning we may not be there in every aspect of the game."
"I want to see that the things we have been teaching and training are imprinting in the 11-on-11 setting against opponents other than ourselves," said Amato. "That's really important. I want to evaluate where certain players are, what formations work and be able to go into the game against Pepperdine with a much better idea."

Eyes on the Prize
In Coach Amato's inaugural season with the Wildcats back in 2013, he led the team to its first winning record since 2005. He has since improved on that, leading the 2015 squad to a 14-6-2 record (second best all-time) and has made two runs into the NCAA Tournament, last season's into the Round of 16.

Continuing a Legacy
With 20 players from last season's record-breaking squad, Arizona has a lot of talent remaining in the program. This senior class has 34 wins entering this season, only six shy of the highest mark for a senior class. The Wildcats will look to their veterans to lead them to another successful season in 2015.

Between the Posts
Sophomore Lainey Burdett will take to the cage as the starter this season. Burdett participated in 16 games in the 2015 season and earned over 1,250 minutes of action. She notched 52 saves (.754, 1.22 GAA) and shutout the opponent three times. Her 1.22 GAA is the seventh-best mark in Arizona history for one season.

Stoian Returns
Junior Gabi Stoian returns to the pitch this fall, bringing her offensive talent back to the team. In her two seasons with the Wildcats, Stoian has 19 goals (4th all-time) and 53 points (4th all-time). Those goals include 6 game-winning goals (5th all-time). Arizona will look to her to continue to provide an attacking outlet.

An Old Rival
In regular season play, the Wildcats hold an 8-0-2 record against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. Arizona has outscored NAU 26-7 in games stretching back to 1998.

Newcomer Talent
Arizona is bringing in 12 newcomers in this season. This includes 11 incoming freshmen, and one junior transfer. The team will look to these players to step-up and provide energy and depth to their already strong and proven roster.

Preseason Forecasts
In the NSCAA preseason poll, the Wildcats were ranked 20th after finishing their 2015 season at No. 19. Additionally, in the coaches' poll from the Pac-12 Conference, the Cats were picked to finish fifth in the conference.

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