SURPRISE, ARIZ. – After starting its GSAC slate with a hard-fought win on Tuesday, the 22nd-ranked OUAZ women's soccer team scored five goals to push its conference record to 2-0 on Thursday. The Spirit scored three goals in the second half and pulled away from Benedictine Mesa to earn a 5-0 victorious decision.
Mindy Lertzman got the scoring right away, getting her second goal of the season just 3:38 after kickoff. Lertzman would then assist on the Spirit's second goal of the game when Karissa Frerichs extended the lead to 2-0.
OUAZ would not score again in the first half, but would add three more during the final 45 minutes. Amanda Witkowski would but the Spirit lead to 3-0, then JoJo Smith and Harlee Kuntz scored less than seven minutes apart to get to the five-goal advantage.
The Spirit were relentless all night, taking 26 shots and having 15 hit the target. OUAZ also had all seven corner kicks in the game, and 11 different Spirit players finished with at least one shot on goal.
In her second start of the season, LJ Hempel made five saves to earn yet another clean sheet. The Spirit have not allowed a goal in any of its four wins this season.
OUAZ will hit the road for the first time in their GSAC schedule when they head North for a top-25 matchup against No. 11 Embry-Riddle. Kickoff from Prescott is set for 5:00 p.m.
