SURPRISE, ARIZ. – The 21^st-ranked OUAZ women's soccer team started its journey to another NAIA Nationals appearance on Friday night, and a spectacular strike from a newcomer led the Spirit to a 1-0 win.

Diane Garcia, the Phoenix College transfer, stepped inside the 30-yard mark and unleased a strike toward the net in the 58^th minute. The shot sailed over everyone's head, finding the perfect spot in the top right corner to give OUAZ a 1-0 lead.

In a game that was described as a "track meet" early on by first year head coach Brett Bentley, the Spirit and the Maple Leafs combined for a total of nine shots in the opening half. OUAZ took control of the play in the final 45 minutes, outshooting Goshen 5-1 in the second half.

"I like what I saw from us in the second half when we slowed down and got more patient on the ball," Bentley said. "You could see the game really start to open up for us."

Chloe Avila had a great night in goal, making three saves to pick up her first clean sheet of the season. The Spirit had eight different players register at least one shot attempt, and OUAZ finished with four total shots on target.

The next time OUAZ will take the pitch will be in the Pacific Northwest, as the Spirit take on a pair of teams from Oregon. The first matchup of the road trip will be on Wednesday, August 28 when take on Warner Pacific.