PRESCOTT, Ariz. – The Ottawa University Arizona men's soccer team opened their 2018 season with a win over the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles. The final score was 4-2.

With this first win of the season, the Spirit will move forward with a record of 1-0. The Eagles of Embry Riddle move on with their season in a deficit of a 0-1 record.

Embry-Riddle (AZ) struck first in this back-and-forth game, scoring the first goal within the first 3 minutes. The Spirit responded with strength, forcing the Eagles to play defense until they cracked. Shots on goal were made by Giovanni Ruelas, Kyle McDowell, and Bryan Hernandez until the fourth shot on goal by Samuel George connected with the net. Embry-Riddle would answer with a goal of their own to take the lead 2-0 into the second period.

In the second half, the Spirit battled back keeping the Eagles to a single shot on goal while they continued pressuring the defense. OUAZ took three more shots on goal until they tied the game 2-2 with a goal from Mauricio Ochoa within the 24-minute mark.

From that point, the Spirit took control of the game. Eduardo Soriano scored another goal for the Spirit within two minutes of the previous one, assisted by Serigner Ndao. The Spirit's defense held the Eagles attempts at bay, deflecting 4 attempts to score and three corner kick opportunities. In the final seconds of the game, the Spirit nailed shut their win with a final goal by Serigner Ndao.

Yuri Nascimento, as the goalkeeper, had four saves for the night and played the length of the game.

The men's team returns home next week to play their first home game of the season against the Mustangs of the University of the Southwest. That game follows the women's game on Thursday, August 23 and starts at 8:00 pm at Spirit Field in Surprise, AZ.