DENVER, Colo. – The Ottawa University Arizona women's soccer team; who are currently receiving votes in the latest NCCAA Top 10 Women's Soccer Poll, closed out the regular season portion of their schedule on Sunday afternoon, by finishing in a 1-1 draw at Johnson & Wales University.
With the draw, the Spirit; who are currently receiving votes in the latest NCCAA Top 10 Women's Soccer Coaches Poll move to 9-6-2 overall, while Johnson & Wales University moves to 8-6-2 overall.
"I thought today we played very well considering that we had just played 24 hours prior," said OUAZ head women's soccer coach Skelly Kellar. "We are becoming more patient on the ball and are more trusting in our teammates not to lose the ball. Our movement is getting better and we were more dangerous in the attack today."
OUAZ struck first on Sunday afternoon, as Tori McClelland(JR/Colorado Springs, CO) found Kaitlyn Kelsey (JR/Surprise, AZ) just six minutes into the match to give the Spirit the early 1-0 lead. That lead would hold as the teams headed into halftime.
The defensive battle continued in the second half, until the Wildcats broke through late. In the 77th minute, Natasha Martin sent a corner-kick into the box which Kelsie Treloar sent past the keeper to tie the match at 1-1. The score remained even at 1-1 after 90 minutes of regulation.
OUAZ and Johnson & Wales played a pair of 10-minute overtime periods, with neither offense being able to strike. In the end, the Spirit and Wildcats finished in a 1-1 draw.
Spirit goalkeeper Brooke Riddle (JR/Cypress, CA) played 100 plus minutes, recording eight saves on nine shots.
OUAZ finished with 15 shots in the contest, to 13 shots for Johnson & Wales. The Spirit also attempted seven corner-kicks, while the Wildcats finished the game with five corner-kicks.
"We have qualified for the NCCAA playoffs, which is very exciting for a first year program," said Kellar. "I am extremely proud of this team, coaching staff and support staff; we wouldn't be where we are without them. This has been a phenomenal year and we will try to make every last second of it count."
The OUAZ Spirit women have qualified for the NCCAA West Region playoffs. The date, time, and opponent will be named at a later date.
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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.
