Spirit Host Southwest (N.M.) to Open Home Slate

After splitting the season-opening road trip, the OUAZ women's soccer team will return home for its home opener Thursday night. The Spirit will host University of the Southwest (N.M.) for the first time since the 2019 season.

The Mustangs visited Surprise on August 22, 2019, and both teams could not find a winner after 100 minutes. OUAZ finally broke through in the second overtime, when Sarah Inafuku scored on a penalty kick in the 104' to push the Spirit's record to 2-0 on the year.

OUAZ took home a pair of weekly awards from its efforts last week, as Cassidi Calzaretta and Cassidy Samuelson won an NCCAA Player of the Week award. Calzaretta scored twice in the Spirit's win over Thomas University on Friday, getting her team's offense going on the way to a 4-0 win.

Samuelson made three big saves in the team's win at St. Thomas to take the NCCAA Defensive Player of the Week honors. Samuelson is now 5-0 in her collegiate career, and has allowed one goal or less in all five of her starts.

Goalkeeper Chloe Gutierrez played well in season opening game at Georgia Gwinnett, making four big saves to give her team a chance to win. Game two is where the offense came alive, as Emily Lynch and Kendall Caron scored to go along with Calzaretta's pair in the big win last Friday.

The Spirit received votes in the latest NAIA coach's poll, the seventh consecutive poll that OUAZ at least received votes. The program reached as high 25^th in the final regular season poll back in the Spring of 2021.

Spirit Field has truly been home for the program, as the team is 12-2-1 over the past two seasons on its home turf and currently ride a five game unbeaten streak. Since the 2018 season, OUAZ has won 19 games at home, and has a non-conference record of 11-1-1 in that stretch.

Southwest was scheduled to start its season last Saturday, but the road match with Lubbock Christian was postponed to a later date. Thursday's match is the first of two in Arizona for the Mustangs, who are looking to build upon a strong 7-5 record last campaign.

Tickets for the match are still available, and can be found at ouazspirit.com/tickets. Kickoff from Spirit Field for OUAZ's home opener is scheduled for 5:30 AZ time.

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Players Mentioned

#16 Cassidi Calzaretta: F; 5' 7"; Junior

#5 Kendall Caron: D; 5' 9"; Junior

#00 Chloe Gutierrez: GK; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#6 Emily Lynch: MF; 5' 7"; Senior

#1 Cassidy Samuelson: GK; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#16 Cassidi Calzaretta
: 5' 7"; Junior
: F

#5 Kendall Caron
: 5' 9"; Junior
: D

#00 Chloe Gutierrez
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: GK

#6 Emily Lynch
: 5' 7"; Senior
: MF

#1 Cassidy Samuelson
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: GK