PASADENA, Calif. - The OUAZ women's soccer team improved their overall record to 2-0 on Saturday evening, following their 4-2 victory at Providence Christian College in Pasadena, California.

With the victory, OUAZ improves to 2-0 overall, while Providence Christian falls to 1-2-1 on the season with the loss.

"I thought that after a long hard week of training, the girls were focused," said OUAZ head women's soccer coach Skelly Kellar. "We came out on the front foot and created some very good chances, but were unlucky not to finish a couple of them. They scored a goal against the run of play and I thought we showed some very good character to not only tie it, but also come back and end the half up a goal."

Kellar continued, "we talked at halftime about increasing the pressure and communicating, and the girls did just that. We scored two more goals to help put the game out of reach. We have a long way to go still, but I am proud of their effort and determination. We had a lot of our younger players play some important minutes and gain some valuable experience. I am excited for where this season is headed and to see us grow as a group!"

Providence Christian College broke through first on Saturday evening, scoring the games' first goal in the 14^th minute off the foot of Adrina Palacios, to give the Sea Beggars the early 1-0 lead.

OUAZ would respond, getting their first tally just a few minutes later in the 17^th minute, when Kii Aweau (FR/Honolulu, HI) found Kaitlyn Kelsey (JR/Surprise, AZ) for the equalizer. The Spirit would tack on one more goal in the 44^th minute, when Brandi Gutierrez(SR/Orangevale, CA) found Kaycee Youngs (SO/Peoria, AZ) to give OUAZ a 2-1 lead headed into halftime.

In the second half, OUAZ jumped on the board in the 66^th minute when Miranda Ruiz (FR/Los Angeles, CA) found Shayna Marquez(FR/Surprise, AZ) to put the Spirit up 3-1. Less than 12 minutes later, Marquez added her second goal of the match off a pass from Brie Boehm.

Providence Christian added a goal in the 85^th minute from Becca Burney, but it was too little too late. OUAZ would hold on for the 4-2 victory.

Goalie Brooke Riddle (JR/Cypress, CA) picked up the win in net, making nine saves on 11 shots faced.

OUAZ returns to action on Monday, when they travel to face Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California. The Spirit women will get things started at 5pm, with the men's match to follow at 7pm.
 

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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.