OUAZ Athletics

DEVASTATING LOSS FOR THE SPIRIT

9/4/2023 2:23:00 PM

Devastating: adjective meaning to causing severe shock, distress, or grief.
 
That is a very good way of describing the ending of the OUAZ (4-1-0) Women's soccer match on Labor Day Monday against number two ranked Marian University from Indianapolis, Indiana.  The Knights (4-0-1) defeated the Spirit 3-2.  But it was oh so much worse than that!
 
Just ten minutes into the match the Marian University Knights' Naomi Walters scored her sixth goal of the season.  It was the first goal to be scored upon the Spirit this season snapping a 550-minute shutout streak to open the season.  That was the end of the scoring in the first half.  Both teams would threaten, but nothing went into the back of the net.
 
Less than a minute after halftime, Sophie Decker of MU would score her first goal of the season.  She knocked home a crossing pass from Katie Koger for a 2-0 lead.
 
In the 64th minute, Anabella Bara scored her second goal of the season to cut the lead to 2-1.  Melinda Lertzman served the corner kick into the box it deflected off of Kylie Walker and to the feet of Anabella who knocked it into the net.
 
In the 82nd minute, Eryn Warren scored her second goal of the season when Amanda Witkowski served it in from another corner it pinball around the box and landed at Warren's feet.  She knocked it in just inside the right post.
 
Then in the final seconds, Katie Koger scored on a freak goal for her third of the season.
 
OUAZ will have a scrimmage on Saturday morning against Bethesda University, before resuming the season schedule with a road trip to Oklahoma when they take on Univ. of Science and Arts in Chickasha and then two days later Oklahoma City Univ. in Oklahoma City.
 
Following the trip to the Panhandle State, it is off to Northern California to face Menlo College and Jessup University in the opening weekend of GSAC competition.
 
On Thursday, Oct. 5 the team hosts Arizona Christian in the GSAC home opener.  Tickets for that match, and all Spirit home games are available on the Hometown Ticket App or by clicking here.