Spirit Host Northern California Foes to Open Conference Season

After a wild Spring 2021 season that saw the OUAZ women's soccer team clinch a share of the regular season GSAC Championship for the first time ever and a first ever invite to the GSAC Conference Championship Game, the Spirit will return to a normal conference schedule beginning Thursday. The team will host Menlo on Thursday evening, and will welcome in William Jessup on Saturday morning.

The Spirit have not faced Menlo since the 2019 season, as the Oaks did not play during the Spring of 2021. In the last matchup, OUAZ brought home a 3-1 win in its first trip to Atherton, where current strikers Saipress Jones and Cassidi Calzaretta each scored a goal.

OUAZ did face off with William Jessup last season, as the Spirit closed out the unique regular season with a 6-0 win over the Warriors. In the four-game history of the series, the Spirit have outscored WJU 18-2 to stay undefeated in every matchup.

Cassidi Calzaretta has put together the best offensive season to date for OUAZ, as she was on a six-game point streak prior to it being snapped last Friday. She currently leads the GSAC in goals (7) and points (16), and sits in third in the entire NAIA with three game-winning goals.

Jones, the reigning GSAC Player of the Year is hitting her stride at the perfect time. She has five goals in her last six games, which is third-best in the GSAC. Jones has recorded a point in five games this season.

All four of the rostered goalkeepers for OUAZ have seen time this season, and Chloe Gutierrez has jumped near the top of some GSAC categories. Gutierrez is currently third in the GSAC in saves with 25, and also ranks third in save percentage. Goalkeeper Cassidy Samuelson has allowed just three goals in her time this season, which is also good for third in the conference.

As a team, the Spirit are top of the class in the GSAC offensively. They have scored the most goals among conference teams so far (25), and are tied for first with Menlo in assists (17). Nationally, OUAZ ranks inside the top 40 in the NAIA for both categories.

Tickets for both games are still available, and can be found at ouazspirit.com/tickets. Kickoff for Thursday's matchup is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., while Saturday's game is expected to start at 10 a.m.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#28 Saipress Jones: F; 5' 8"; Junior

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

#28 Saipress Jones
: 5' 8"; Junior
: F

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