OUAZ SPIRIT (0-0) vs THE MASTER'S UNIVERISTY (0-0)
Game Details	Saturday, January 16, 2021 • 2 p.m. (Arizona) • Surprise, Ariz. • Spirit Field
Video Stream	OUAZ Digital Network
OTT App	NAIA Network (Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV & Roku)
Live Stats	ouazspirit.com/sidearmstats/wsoc

The OUAZ women's soccer program has improved with each passing season. In year one, the team won its first ever game (and the first ever win in the Athletics' Department history), finishing with a winning record and an appearance in the NCCAA National Championship Tournament.

Year two saw the team put together an impressive first-season conference record, and yet another trip to the NCCAA Nationals. Last season brought the Spirit its best year yet, winning 15 games, hosting an conference tournament game, and coming within one goal of the NCCAA Championship.

This makes a fourth season that comes with even more improvement, and the hope of reaching the NAIA National Tournament. The goal is certainly not out of reach, but will have a lot of stiff competition on the path.

The journey starts with a matchup against NAIA national tournament participant The Master's. Not only did the Mustangs make an appearance in the national tournament, but they picked up a victory in the first round before falling to eventual national champion Keiser University.

Saturday's contest against The Master's will be considered as non-conference competition, though the teams will meet in official GSAC play on March 4. That matchup will come in the middle of potentially the toughest conference slate the Spirit have ever faced.

Last season's roster construction saw more than half of its players put on the OUAZ uniform for the first time, whether being a true freshman or coming in via transfer. There are plenty of talented fresh faces this season as well, but a lot of the returning players will use last year's experience to push the program to the next level.

Saipress Jones put together the best freshman season in program history in 2019. Her 23 points and nine assists led the GSAC, and her 13 goals were tied for second-best in the conference. Despite not being at 100% near the end of the season, Jones still was an important piece of the Spirit's postseason success, setting her up for an even better sophomore season.

Jones will not be alone up front, as the team's leading scorer in 2018 makes her return. After taking last season off, Syndey Busbee will be stepping on the pitch again in 2021, looking to pick up where she left off after a program-record 19 goals two seasons ago.

 Kii Aweau will be the midfield anchor to start the campaign, as she is one of the players to participate in each season of the program's existence. Her and Sarah Inafuku created a deadly combo in the midfield last season, and Aweau will be asked to do more than just improve on her 15 point (4G, 7A) campaign in 2019.

Defensively, the Spirit played a lot of freshmen throughout the 2019 season, and that experience is going to be huge heading into the upcoming year. All three goalkeepers currently listed on the roster have never played a game at the collegiate level, so the defenders will be relied on a lot in the early stretch of games.

Saturday will be the only currently scheduled game for the month of January to start the unique spring season for OUAZ. No spectators will be allowed at Spirit Field for Saturday's contest.