Arizona soccer: Wildcats upset No. 16 Oklahoma in season opener

After missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years last season, the Arizona soccer team is determined to have a different fate in 2017.

So far, so good.

The Wildcats defeated No. 16 Oklahoma in Norman 2-0 on Friday in their season opener.

Arizona outshot Oklahoma 16-5 and had a 9-1 edge on shots on goal.

The game was scoreless until the 43rd minute, when a through ball by Amanda Porter found forward Jill Aguilera behind the defense, and was easily knocked past the Oklahoma keeper.

It was a nice moment for Aguilera, who was playing in her first career game after missing her entire freshman season with a torn ACL.

The Wildcats continued to pressure in the second half, and Hailey Mazzola tacked on an insurance goal for Arizona in the 65th minute on an assist from Porter.

Arizona was rather easily able to preserve the shutout, as junior goalkeeper Lainey Burdett was only forced to make one save in her first shutout of the season.

The Wildcats’ next regular season game is Friday, Aug. 25 vs. UC Irvine, but they host Beijing Normal University on Monday in an exhibition game first.