KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The 8th seeded Ottawa University Arizona Spirit women's soccer team fell on Monday afternoon to the 2nd seeded Concordia University in Ann Arbor (MI) Cardinals by a final of 3-1 in pool play at the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division 1 Women's Soccer National Championship tournament.
With the loss on Monday, the Spirit fall to 9-8-2 overall. With the victory, the Concordia University at Ann Arbor Cardinals improve to 13-9 overall.
The Cardinals jumped out quickly on Monday afternoon and attacked the Spirit. OUAZ goaltender Emily Kriplean (JR/Peoria, AZ) had her hands full all day long. In the first half, Concordia outshot the Spirit 15-1, but Kriplean held strong and stopped every shot she faced in the first half. At halftime, the teams were even at 0-0.
Goals came in abundance in the second half, as the Spirit struck first. Just three minutes into the half, Shania Maddux (JR/Glendale, AZ) sent a header past Cardinals keeper Maria Lulgjuraj off a corner-kick from Carley Cope (JR/Gilbert, AZ), to give OUAZ the 1-0 lead.
Following the Spirit goal, the Cardinal offense came to life and struck for three straight goals. Julia Palushaj put Concordia on the scoreboard just four minutes after Maddux's goal, to even the score at 1-1. Palushaj added her second goal of the match in the 70th minute on a penalty kick, following a handball foul called on OUAZ to give the Cardinals the 2-1 lead.
Concordia put the game away in the 80th minute, when Palushaj sent a cross to Samantha Golchuk for the game's final goal. With the goal, the Cardinals sealed a 3-1 victory over the Spirit.
In the loss, OUAZ was outshot 28-7. Spirit goaltender Emily Kripleanplayed all 90 minutes and finished with 13 saves on 16 shots on goal.
The Spirit return to the pitch tomorrow (Tuesday) against 5th seeded Southwestern Assemblies of God University (TX) at the Austin Tindall Soccer Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. Tomorrow's match is scheduled to begin at 3:30pm EST/1:30pm Arizona time.
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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.
