SURPRISE, ARIZ. - In 2017, OUAZ men's soccer program was gearing up for their first game all summer long. Three seasons later, they are hosting a team in the same situation.

The Spirit open its season at home against Park University (Ariz.) on Saturday. Park, which is located in Gilbert, Ariz., is in its first year as a program. While the Buccaneers have no prior experience, it also means no other teams have gotten a chance to see what they are about. While the unknown of a team can be its most dangerous asset, OUAZ is keeping their mindset on their play.

"Since it's early in the season, we're still focused on us," Spirit head coach Matt Gow said. "Even though we do not know what to expect from them, we're really just focused on being us going into this first game."

Last season, OUAZ took a huge step forward. The team won 12 games, and qualified for the NCCAA National Championship tournament. The Spirit made it all the way to the semifinal in the program's first postseason appearance of any kind. That experience is one that could play a large factor in how successful the 2019 season can be.

"To be able to get that experience with such a young team, going into our third year," Gow said, "now we're taking that experience, along with the experience we have now on the field compared to the last two years. Put those two things together, I think it's a great combination."

THIS WEEK FOR MEN'S SOCCER
The program opens its third season taking on Park University (Ariz.) at Spirit Field on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 8pm, immediately following the women's soccer matchup between the two schools.

HOW TO FOLLOW
Live video of both games will be available on the OUAZ Game Central portal and the NAIA Network for $7.95. The NAIA Network is available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV devices. Live stats will also be available through Game Central at portal.stretchinternet.com/ottawaaz.

AGAINST THE OPPOSITION
This is the first matchup between the Spirit and the Buccaneers, as Park is entering its first season as a program.

NOTABLE QUOTABLE
"The last two years, we have been one of the most inexperienced teams on the field. Because of the uniqueness of playing a bunch of freshmen and a bunch of sophomores those first two years, we're going into our third year where we're going to have guys on the field that have over 30 starts. We quickly turned from being one of the most inexperienced teams in the country to being one of the most experienced teams. I'm excited to see what that does look like on the field." – Gow, when speaking about the maturity of his team and how it has developed during the first two years.

SPIRIT NOTES
The Spirit finished with a 12-7-1 record in 2018, and capped it off with an appearance in the NCCAA Division I semifinal.

This is the first season that the OUAZ soccer programs are eligible for NAIA postseason. This includes the NAIA National Championships, as well as the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) tournament.

Ricardo Navarro is returning for his junior season, looking to build off his sophomore campaign that saw him lead the team in goals (10) and points (23).

The men's team enters 2019 with a 20-16-1 all-time program record.

UP NEXT
The team will continue the start of the season at home when they welcome in Westcliff University on Thursday, August 22. Game time scheduled for 8pm.