SURPRISE, ARIZ. - OUAZ took Spirit Field for the first time Thursday since a successful Georgia road trip, and were looking to build their undefeated record to 5-0. The Sprit were on the wrong end of a game that had low scoring, but high tensions.

Nathaniel Van Der Wa's penalty kick goal in the 85' was the decider as OUAZ lost to Marymount California 2-1 on Thursday night. The game's final 15 minutes were extremely physical, as six cards (one red) were handed out in that span. The caution-heavy ending to the game was one that could be seen coming.

"Our guys have to do a better job of understanding that it's out of our control, and control what we can," Spirit head coach Matt Gow said. "The college game is physical, and I think our guys tonight saw a true representation of what they are going to see."

The Spirit's lone goal was courtesy of Josias Cruz, his first of the season. The Spirit recorded only two shots on target, but had 13 shot attempts, speaking to how many chances they had, especially toward the end.

The Spirit had a tough slate of competition to start the season, and it does not get any easier. They play the next three games on the road, but the non-conference schedule is gearing them up for the level they will face in GSAC play.

"It's good to get games like this early," Gow said. "Last year, we didn't play a top team like this early in the season, so we were a little bit shocked when it came conference time."

The next time the Spirit take the pitch will be on Tuesday, September 10 when they take on California Lutheran in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Kickoff is scheduled for 7PM.