AURORA, Colo. – The Ottawa University Arizona women's soccer team; who are currently receiving votes in the latest NCCAA Top 10 Women's Soccer Poll, defeated the Grace University Royals on Saturday afternoon by a final of 6-0.
With the victory, the Spirit; who are currently receiving votes in the latest NCCAA Top 10 Women's Soccer Poll, improve to 9-6-1 overall. With the loss on Saturday, Grace University falls to 5-12-1 overall.
"I was proud of the way that we moved the ball today," said OUAZ head women's soccer coach Skelly Kellar. "We played a complete game, kept the shutout, and everyone got in the game. Considering our long drive and the altitude, I was proud of the girl's energy level."
The Spirit jumped on the Royals early and often on Saturday afternoon. OUAZ scored first in the fifth minute of the game, when Danica Milan(JR/Gilbert, AZ) Carley Cope (JR/Gilbert, AZ) from ten yards out to put the Spirit ahead at 1-0. Just 15 minutes later off of a free kick, Kii Aweau(FR/Honolulu, HI) found Rianna Poarch (JR/Gilbert, AZ) to extend the Spirit lead to 2-0.
Late in the first half, Shayna Marquez (FR/Surprise, AZ) sent a pass down the middle to Shombri Baranski (JR/Goodyear, AZ) to extend the Spirit lead to 3-0. That lead held as the two squads headed in for halftime.
In the second half, both teams came out and played strong defense. OUAZ was able to get by the Royals in the backend of the half, scoring goals in the 76th, 79th, and the 85th minutes. Tori McClelland(JR/Colorado Springs, CO), Taylor Constance (JR/Gilbert, AZ) and Kaycee Youngs (SO/Peoria, AZ) had a hand in all three second half goals.
Between the pipes, Spirit goaltender Emily Kriplean (JR/Peoria, AZ) recorded her fourth shutout of the season. Kriplean faced just one shot in 90 minutes of action. As a team, the Spirit outshot Grace University 23-2 and attempted seven corner-kicks to zero for the Royals.
"Tomorrow is a new day though," added Kellar. "We know that Johnson & Wales is a good team with some good results this year. We need to come prepared for a battle and try to end the year on the best note that we can."
OUAZ will close out their regular season on Sunday afternoon, when the face the Wildcats from Johnson & Wales University at 11am in Aurora, Colorado.
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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.
