PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ) women's soccer program defeated their crosstown rivals; Arizona Christian University, by a final of 1-0 at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex in Phoenix on Saturday afternoon. The victory marks the first win in OUAZ program history.
With the victory, OUAZ opens the 2017 season 1-0, while Arizona Christian falls to 0-2 on the season with the loss.
The Spirit wasted no time getting into the record books on Saturday afternoon, striking for the program's first goal just six minutes into the contest. Danica Milan (JR/Gilbert, AZ) sent a throw-in towards the box, and Sydnee Busby (JR/Cypress, CA) was able to handle the pass and send a header past the Firestorm keeper to put OUAZ on the board at 1-0. That lead held as the teams broke for halftime.
OUAZ goalkeeper Emily Kriplean (JR/Peoria, AZ) had her hands full all day. Arizona Christian fired off 27 shots in the match, seven of which were on goal. Kriplean stopped all seven shots and picked up a clean sheet shutout in the Spirit's first ever game.
The Spirit defense stood strong in the second half and were able to limit the scoring chances for ACU. OUAZ pitched a shutout in the final 45 minutes to hold on for the 1-0 victory.
OUAZ returns to action this coming Saturday, when they travel to Pasadena, California to face Providence Christian College. The men will get things started at 4:30pm, with the women's match to follow at 7:00pm.
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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 as a Christ-inspired community of grace and opening inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving more than 4,000 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.; and 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.
