SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's soccer team fell short in overtime to Bethesda University of California on Saturday evening by a final of 2-1 in the first ever game at Spirit Field. Saturday's match drew over 300 fans to the brand new facility.
With the loss, the Spirit fall to 7-7 overall on the season. With the victory, Bethesda University of California improves to 13-2-1 overall.
It was an aggressive game on Saturday evening, when the Spirit matched-up with the Flames from Bethesda University. These two squads last met just two weeks ago on October 7th in Anaheim, California, when the Flames defeated OUAZ 1-0.
This Saturday's contest was eerily similar between two of the top teams in the West. Neither team scored in the first half; however there were some hard fought plays as the teams headed into halftime even at 0-0.
The Bethesda offense broke through first in the second half on Saturday, when Eduardo Faria scored in the 72nd minute to put the Flames ahead at 1-0.
OUAZ never gave up and in the 89th minute, David Lopez (FR/Manteca, CA) fired a strike from within the box to get the Spirit on the scoreboard. Lopez's goal tied the match at 1-1 and forced a sudden-death overtime.
In overtime, Eduardo Faria struck once again for Bethesda; just six minutes into the first overtime. Faria's goal sealed the 2-1 victory for the Flames.
Overall, OUAZ was outshot 21-14, but did manage to attempt one more corner-kick (3-2) than Bethesda University of California.
In the loss, reigning NCCAA Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week Antony Siaha (SO/Yaounde, Cameroon) finished with five saves in 96 minutes of action.
The OUAZ men hit the road next weekend to Denver, Colorado to face Johnson & Wales University and Grace University. First up will be their match against Grace next Saturday October 28th at 2:30pm.
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About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu.
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.
