Arizona women’s soccer entered the Big 12 weekend with a clear goal: stop Kansas and Kansas State from rebounding after their opening draws. Head coach Becca Moros emphasized the league’s depth, noting that “first games of the conference, I think anything can happen.”
Recent conference results
Kansas traveled to Cincinnati and earned a 1‑1 draw against a Bearcats team that entered the match 2‑2‑3 and ranked No. 160 in the RPI. The Jayhawks sit at No. 53 in the selection rankings with a 6‑2‑1 record. Kansas State, coming off a home game in Manhattan, holds a 5‑1‑3 record and is No. 66 in the RPI after a 3‑0 loss to Houston.
Houston’s Cougars, though historically low‑winning in the Big 12, have challenged themselves this season, playing No. 3 Vanderbilt to a one‑goal loss and drawing No. 23 Memphis. Their overall record mirrors Arizona’s at 5‑1‑3, with a No. 46 RPI.
Arizona’s recent performance
The Wildcats drew 1‑1 with a ranked BYU team at home, a result that set the tone for the upcoming road trips. Moros highlighted the competitive balance, saying home‑field advantage matters but “anyone can win.” She praised Houston’s three‑goal performance against Kansas State, noting the Cougars “deserve a lot of credit.”
Key player: Shanti Weddington
Midfielder Shanti Weddington entered the BYU match with less than 25 minutes left. After a modest freshman and sophomore career—averaging 38 minutes per game as a freshman and 34 as a sophomore—Weddington has become a more regular contributor, averaging 22 minutes per game in 13 matches last season.
Weddington described the challenge: “It’s hard mentally because I have been injured a lot through the seasons, but I’m here for my teammates.” Her long‑range shot was deflected to Lainey Swanson, who slid the ball into the net with five minutes remaining, securing the tie.
Statistical outlook
Arizona currently ranks No. 124 in the RPI and averages 1.11 goals per game this season, slightly down from 1.16 last year. The program has not out‑scored opponents since 2024, when it posted 1.68 goals per game while allowing 0.89. Moros’ teams are known for a higher shot‑on‑goal percentage than opponents, but recent games show a tendency to hesitate on the final third, leading to missed opportunities.
The Wildcats’ “anything can happen” mindset, embodied by Weddington’s decisive play, could be the catalyst needed to improve their RPI against top‑100 competition. They are 0‑3‑1 against teams ranked in the top 100 of the RPI and will face Kansas on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Buser Family Park in Manhattan, Kansas, followed by a matchup with Kansas State on Sunday, Sept. 27 at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas. Both games will stream on ESPN+.
Looking ahead
If Arizona can capture points in Kansas, it would not only boost its RPI but also demonstrate the depth Moros highlighted across the conference. The team’s ability to generate chances from unexpected moments, as seen in the BYU tie, may prove decisive as the season progresses.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
