ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - The OUAZ women's soccer team won their third straight game to open the 2017 season on Monday evening, with their 3-0 victory at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California.
With the victory, OUAZ improves to 3-0 overall, while Soka University of America falls to 1-1 on the season with the loss.
"I thought this was going to be a challenging game today and it sure was with their quality, the heat/humidity, and with a long weekend," said OUAZ head women's soccer coach Skelly Kellar. "I am really proud of how the ladies are showing who they are and the character they showed."
OUAZ and Soka played a scoreless half on Monday evening, with the squads going to the locker room all knotted at 0-0.
The Spirit struck quickly to begin the second half, as Mariah McDuffy(SO/Modesto, CA) flicked a shot over the defender to the right side of the goal to put OUAZ up 1-0.
Drew Theobald (FR/Surprise, AZ) notched the games second goal in the 64th minute off a throw-in from Danica Milan (JR/Gilbert, AZ) to stretch OUAZ's lead to 2-0. The Spirit put the game away for good in the 77thminute, when Shayna Marquez (FR/Surprise, AZ) scored on a pass from Cassidy Chriest (JR/Peoria, AZ). The goal was Marquez's team leading third goal of the season.
Emily Kriplean (JR/Peoria, AZ) (3-0) picked up her second shutout victory of the season. Kriplean played all 90 minutes, while stopping all six shots she faced.
"Overall, it's been a great trip, but now we have to get ready for the next one," continued Kellar.
OUAZ returns to action this Thursday, when they travel to Santee, California, to face San Diego Christian College. The match is scheduled to begin at 10am.
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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.
