SURPRISE, ARIZ. – A blistering September morning was the setting for a top-20 NAIA showdown, as the 18th-ranked OUAZ women's soccer team took on 19th-ranked College of Idaho. After scoring the first goal of the day, the Spirit fell behind 2-1 before tying the game in the 79th minute to come away with a 2-2 draw.
JoJo Smith got the scoring started when she buried a chance off a corner kick. The Yotes keeper misplayed the corner, and the ball fell right to Smith who picked up her first goal of the season.
College of Idaho answered back in the second half with a pair of goals less than seven minutes apart, including a penalty kick tally in the 62nd minute to draw even. The Spirit took advantage of another chance, as Mindy Lertzman broke free, got a shot off, and buried her own rebound to score her first of the season as the game was tied once again.
While the two teams battled in the final 10 minutes, neither could find another goal. The Spirit and the Yotes combined for 38 shots and 18 shots on target.
"I thought we got a phenomenal performance from our players today," OUAZ head coach Brett Bentley said. "All the credit to [Yotes head] coach [Brian] Smith for putting together a well-coached, athletic and tough team. I am really pleased with our response to adversity and think this could be pretty special. Lots of work to do but we will take this rest and be better the next time out."
While the offense took a majority of the eyes, Spirit goalkeeper Chloe Avila put together a fantastic performance in net. The sophomore made ten saves, and nullified many more Yote chances as she kept her team in the contest all morning long.
When OUAZ takes the field again, it will be for conference play as they host new GSAC member Park Gilbert on Tuesday, September 17. Kickoff from Spirit Field is set for 5 p.m.
