SANTEE, Calif. - The OUAZ women's soccer team scored a goal from the foot of Kaitlyn Kelsey (JR/Surprise, AZ); her second goal of the match in the games' 88th minute to seal their fourth straight victory to begin the 2017 season on Thursday afternoon. The Spirit defeated San Diego Christian College by a final of 2-1 in Santee, California.
With the victory, OUAZ improves to 4-0 overall, while San Diego Christian College falls to 2-1 on the season with the loss.
"Considering how hot it was on the turf today, I am very happy with our performance," said OUAZ head women's soccer coach Skelly Kellar. "At halftime, we asked the girls to make a couple of adjustments and they came out and scored. But after conceding the lead, we did a great job of showing character and keeping the pressure up and eventually found the game winning goal. I am very happy for the group! We have a long way to go still, but we are finding ways to get the results."
OUAZ and San Diego Christian College played a scoreless first half on Thursday afternoon. Both teams used the first 45 minutes to feel each other out. Following halftime, the Spirit were ready to attack.
In the 47th minute of the match, Shayna Marquez (FR/Surprise, AZ) connected on a pass to Kaitlyn Kelsey to give the Spirit an early 1-0 lead. That lead would hold until the 72nd minute, when the Hawks from San Diego Christian responded. Summer Willey found Mackenzie Asnicar to even the game at 1-1.
The Spirit did not hang their heads and pushed hard for one more goal to claim a regulation win. Kii Aweau (FR/Honolulu, HI) found Kaitlyn Kelsey for her second goal of the match in the 88th minute to give OUAZ the 2-1 lead. Ottawa held on for the final few minutes to claim the 2-1 road victory.
In the win, goalkeeper Emily Kriplean (JR/Peoria, AZ) picked up her fourth win between the pipes on the year. Defense was the name of the game on Thursday, as OUAZ outshot San Diego Christian College 9-4 in the match.
The Spirit return to action this Saturday, when they travel to Riverside, California to face La Sierra University. The match is scheduled to begin at 8pm.
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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.
