Men's Soccer 8/19/2021 3:00:00 PM

Spirit Eye Third Consecutive GSAC Final, First NAIA National Tournament Appearance

The OUAZ men's soccer team has its third GSAC Championship Game in sight, and even more, as the Fall 2021 season gets under way Friday evening. For the second time in three season, the Spirit will host Park-Gilbert to open the new campaign.

OUAZ took down the Buccaneers 14-0 in PUG's first game in program history back on August 17, but both teams have changed a lot since then. It was the start of OUAZ's run to the GSAC Championship Game in 2019, where they ultimately lost in penalty kicks.

The Spirit were able to capture the GSAC East crown, and a share of the GSAC regular season championship, in the Spring 2021 season. OUAZ hosted the GSAC Championship Game for the first time in program history, but a goal in the 90' kept the Spirit from another automatic berth into the NAIA national tournament.

While reigning GSAC Player of the Year Samuel George graduated, the Spirit are returning a lot of key pieces all over the lineup. Up front, Kebba Jobe is expecting to have a big year after shining in the back half of last season. Head coach Matt Gow said Tom Cohen is going to be more of an offensive player this year after a solid first season in the midfield.

The midfield is getting a huge boost this season with transfer Joaquin Bermejillo coming in from Eastern Oregon University, where he was a two-year captain. Misael Moreno is returning as well, where he has put together two solid seasons in the Spirit midfield.

A lot of experience on the back line is coming back for the Spirit, where they limited teams to seven goals in eight conference games. Jordan Rocha, Juaval Roberts, Thomas Monayer, Saul Cacho and Aleem Barclay all played significant minutes last season, plus newcomers like Dylan Huft will see time to help the Spirit.

OUAZ is also returning both of its goalkeepers from last year. Angel Ramirez and Seba Ferreria each started six games during the season, with matching 4-2-0 records. Ramirez had three shutouts, and finished the regular season with a 0.38 goals against average.

The Buccaneers played a short, 6-game Cal-Pac season in the Spring of 2021, putting together a 3-3 record. Sophomore Nicklaus Sullivan scored five goals in five games for PUG, but everyone else on the team had one or less goals last season.

Kickoff from Spirit Field on Friday is scheduled for 7 PM. Tickets for the match are still available, and can be found at ouazspirit.com/tickets.

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Players Mentioned

#11 Samuel George: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#5 Aleem Barclay: D; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#10 Tom Cohen: MF; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#7 Kebba Jobe: F; 5' 10"; Senior

#20 Thomas Monayer: D; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#23 Misael Moreno: MF; 5' 4"; Junior

#1 Angel Ramirez: GK; 6' 1"; Senior

#21 Juaval Roberts: D; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#4 Jordan Rocha: D; 6' 2"; Senior

#6 Joaquin Bermejillo: MF; 5' 11"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#11 Samuel George
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

#5 Aleem Barclay
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: D

#10 Tom Cohen
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: MF

#7 Kebba Jobe
: 5' 10"; Senior
: F

#20 Thomas Monayer
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: D

#23 Misael Moreno
: 5' 4"; Junior
: MF

#1 Angel Ramirez
: 6' 1"; Senior
: GK

#21 Juaval Roberts
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: D

#4 Jordan Rocha
: 6' 2"; Senior
: D

#6 Joaquin Bermejillo
: 5' 11"; Junior
: MF