Tucson, Ariz. – It's the last year of competition for senior Paige Crouch, one of Arizona's key forwards. Crouch played in all 22 matches in the 2015 season, scoring four goals on 33 shots. She's most notable for her flip throw-ins and the speed and endurance she maintains in order to press from an attacking position.

"I think I'm going to miss Friday night games the most, because they're under the lights," said Crouch. "I'll miss the environment of being on the field and instead I'll be sitting in the stands. I'll also miss the team environment, I love the girls, they are like my best friends. It'll be different not going through 300-yard shuttles or the 'beep' test with them."

It's been a long and successful career for Crouch, after spending her freshman season with a knee-injury as a redshirt. From Crouch's eyes, the team has changed a lot from that summer in 2013.

"Culturally, in my sophomore and junior years, the team wasn't as close as we have been," said Crouch. "We work to make everyone feel welcome and not have classes. That's different each year and it's getting better and better. We really focus on making this a home for our newcomers, or babies like we call them, and making this a home for our seniors to return to."

It's pretty clear that the team has become more of a tight knit unit over the last few years, as head coach Tony Amato and company strive to make Arizona a women's soccer destination. And it's working, as the team has driven their record up to 14-6-2, the second-highest number of wins, all-time. There's no reason to think that the Wildcats can't continue their move higher.

"I am really excited about the newcomers coming in, the babies," said Crouch. "It's exciting to see new perspectives and what they bring to the team. You go the whole last year, and then you lose seniors, and then you gain some new ideas and people. I am excited to see what they have to offer and I am looking forward to the season."

And the season, no doubt, will be exciting. Arizona has quickly bred a soccer culture in Tucson, marking year after year of season ticket sales growth and attendance growth. It's all about the atmosphere at home games.

"We really appreciate when the crowd is involved with us during the game," said Crouch. "It can motivate us when they are cheering us on, and knowing that they are there to support us can help us. It helps us as a team want to do better, so that we can put on a good show for them."

Now it's your turn to Experience It Yourself at Arizona's home matches this season. You can pick up season tickets at ArizonaWildcats.com or purchase tickets at the door.
The Arizona Wildcats launch their regular season on August 19th in Malibu, Calif. against the Pepperdine Waves, beginning at 3:00 p.m. MST.

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