SURPRISE, ARIZ. – The OUAZ men's soccer team continues its 2019 season when they take on Westcliff Thursday night. The Warriors are another first-year program, but they offer a different challenge than Park.

Westcliff lost 2-1 to Vanguard in the Warriors' first ever game, and the newcomers played well against the preseason number one in the Golden State Athletic Conference. That result proved, at least early on, Westcliff is not going to have the average first year.

"(Westcliff) has some older, experienced players, especially for a first year program," Spirit head coach Matt Gow said. "They're going to be good. I think they are going to be mature. I think they're going to compete."
It can be hard to judge in a blowout win how well a team has improved over the offseason. Thursday's matchup may offer the best measuring stick of how much OUAZ has grown.

"I feel like we'll start getting a more true look at who we are because they are going to be a good opponent," Gow said.

THIS WEEK FOR MEN'S SOCCER
OUAZ wraps up its season-opening two game homestand when they host Westcliff on Thursday.

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 Warriors in men's soccer.

NOTABLE QUOTABLE
"I think the result against Vanguard spoke a lot in itself because our guys know how good Vanguard is. To go to Vanguard in their first ever game, and miss out by a goal of getting a point on the road, I think that speaks heavy enough to our guys." – Gow, when talking about how the message is being conveyed about Westcliff.

SPIRIT NOTES
The 14 goals scored in the season opener Saturday, the most goals scored in a single-game in program history. The previous record was 11 in a victory over Providence Christian College in 2018.

Mauricio Ochoa and Edoardo Venutolo each recorded their first collegiate hat tricks on Saturday. They were among the four players to score more than one goal.

Fourteen players recorded at least a goal or an assist against Park. The team also broke the single-game record for shots on goal, putting 30 attempts on net.

Yuri Nascimento recorded his fourth career OUAZ clean sheet in the victory over Park.

UP NEXT
The Spirit head to Georgia for a two game road trip starting August 29. OUAZ opens up in the Peach State on the 29th when they take on Reinhardt University. They wrap things up on Sunday, August 31 against Truett McConnell, start time scheduled for 1pm.