Another historic water polo moment was made for OUAZ this past weekend, as the women's team made played its first ever games in Santa Barbara, Calif. While the Spirit did not get the results it was looking for, it was a great opportunity to see where the program is after the offseason preparation.
Iona 16, OUAZ 4 – In the program's first ever match, the Spirit got goals from
Taylor Bacerra,
Julia Lane, and two from
Hylah Prussak. Prussak's goal with 41 seconds remaining before halftime marks the first tally in OUAZ history. While the Spirit scored three goals starting with Prussak's first tally to cut the deficit down to six, Iona scored seven of the next eight goals to put the match out of reach.
Azusa Pacific 24, OUAZ 8 – The Spirit found a little more offense on its last match on Friday, scoring eight goals against the Cougars.
Kelly Rowan found her scoring touch, tallying half of the Spirit's goals in this game. Bacerra and Lane each scored one, and
Madison Choi scored her first of the season.
Cal State Northridge 13, OUAZ 3 –
Kelly Rowan scored twice for the Spirit, and
Sydney Thomas buried her first as the offense was stymied in Saturday's first matchup. Cal State Northridge scored seven unanswered goals between the second and fourth quarters to pull away from OUAZ.
UC San Diego 18, OUAZ 0 – It was a tough start for the Spirit, as they allowed seven goals in the first quarter. They could not find the offense, as they were shut out for the first time in program history.
UCLA 14, OUAZ 2 – The goal scoring for OUAZ came back, as Bacerra and Thomas recorded one each against one of the nation's top programs. Another bad start plagued the Spirit, as they entered halftime down 10-0.
UC Santa Barbara 19, OUAZ 2 – The Spirit finally got its crack at the host team, but allowed the first seven goals before Prussak scored early in the second quarter to break the run. Thomas also recorded her third of the weekend late in the fourth quarter.
OUAZ will get its chance to pick up the program's first win on Saturday, January 25. They will not have to travel too far, as they will play Arizona State's NCAA and Club teams in Tempe. The first match on Saturday is scheduled for 10am.
