Assessing the State of Arizona Soccer Under Coach Becca Moros
With the offseason now underway and all of Arizona’s sports for the 2023-24 season concluded, and the start of the 2024-25 campaigns still a while off, it presents an opportune moment to take a step back and assess the status of all the Wildcats’ athletic programs, particularly with their impending transition to the Big 12 Conference.
In the coming weeks, we will delve into each of the University of Arizona’s men’s and women’s athletic programs to examine their current standing and prospects for the near future. This evaluation will entail a comprehensive analysis of each team, including an assessment of their performance under their current coaching staff. We will also compare the state of each program before the arrival of the current coaching staff to its current status, while also considering the implications of their forthcoming debut in the Big 12 and beyond.
Up next for scrutiny: Soccer under the leadership of Becca Moros.
How it looked before
Arizona soccer experienced its most successful period in program history under the leadership of former head coach Tony Amato. Over his eight-year tenure, he transformed the Wildcats from enduring nine consecutive losing seasons to achieving eight consecutive seasons with a .500 or better record, including five appearances in the NCAA Tournament. In the spring of 2021, Amato departed to assume the head coaching position at Florida, prompting Arizona to appoint Moros, the youngest coach in the Pac-12, as his successor.
Moros assumed the role in June of that summer and immediately faced the task of preparing her roster for the upcoming season in August. This involved retaining existing players while also recruiting new talent. Despite her efforts, Moros has led UA to only one winning season in her three-year tenure, with the team consistently ranking in the bottom three in conference scoring throughout this period.
Looking ahead, Moros is optimistic about the upcoming 2025 season, citing a returning roster of seasoned players and their readiness to compete in the face of new conference opponents.
Where things stand now
Arizona is currently grappling with a notable absence of a consistent secondary scoring option beyond Nicole Dallin, particularly since forward Cameron Valladares transferred to ASU in December. Coach Moros revealed that MacKenzie Moring has been given the opportunity to develop in the striker position opposite Dallin. However, Moring’s playing time has been limited; she did not feature in any games last season and accumulated just 22 minutes of playtime across two games in her freshman year.
On the goalkeeper front, the departure of Hope Hisey, who manned the net for UA over the past five seasons due to graduation, leaves a vacancy. This prompts the question: who will step up next? Among the current roster, Ciara Ulreich-Power, who didn’t see any action last year, and Olivia Ramey, a transfer from Oklahoma with 22 games started over the past two seasons, are potential contenders for the position.
Coach Moros expressed confidence in the team’s attacking depth from the midfield and front line, asserting that it surpasses any depth they’ve had during her tenure.
What life in the Big 12 should look like
As Arizona transitions from the Pac-12, widely regarded as one of the most competitive conferences in recent years, it faces a new challenge in the Big 12. In the previous season, only Texas Tech and BYU, both remaining members of the Big 12, qualified for the NCAA tournament. While the Wildcats will not encounter Texas Tech during the regular season, they will host BYU.
The Big 12 boasted eight teams with a .500 or better record in the regular season, presenting Arizona with formidable competition. Furthermore, the Wildcats will confront five of these teams in addition to their rivalry match against ASU.
One big question
Can Arizona regain momentum and secure a spot in the tournament? Prior to winning its last two games of the season, UA endured a challenging stretch, enduring a six-game losing streak and two draws that dashed any hopes of a tournament berth.
Moros has made strategic moves to bolster the team’s lineup, retaining key players Megan Chelf, Sarah Rice, and Dallin for their fifth seasons. By enhancing the depth of her forward position, UA stands a better chance of competing in the Big 12.
If Arizona can finish within the top 12 of the conference, they will earn a coveted spot in the Big 12 Tournament. Notably, the tournament will be hosted at CPKC Stadium, home of the NWSL’s Kansas City Current, for the next two seasons. This presents a prime opportunity for UA to showcase its talent and make a mark in the conference.
