Surprise, Ariz. — OUAZ women's soccer battled one of the top teams in the GSAC on Thursday evening but suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to The Master's at Spirit Field. The Mustangs scored the game's lone goal in the 85th minute, spoiling a strong defensive effort by the Spirit.
The loss moves OUAZ to 6-5-3 overall and 4-4-2 in GSAC play.
The Spirit's defense kept the match scoreless for more than 84 minutes against a Mustangs squad that entered the contest with a 10-1-2 overall record and an 8-0-1 mark in conference play. Goalkeeper Eerika Erjansalo turned in an outstanding performance, recording six saves and repeatedly denying scoring opportunities throughout the evening.
OUAZ generated quality chances of its own in the first half. Desiree Dutra put a shot on target in the 13th minute, while Meredith Galus tested the Mustangs goalkeeper later in the period. The Spirit entered halftime deadlocked at 0-0 after limiting The Master's to four first-half shots.
The defensive battle continued throughout the second half as Erjansalo made three more saves to keep the match level. Grace Otero nearly broke the scoreless tie in the 78th minute, but her shot sailed just wide as OUAZ continued searching for the breakthrough.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 85th minute when Maddy Traylor scored for The Master's, accounting for the only goal of the contest. Despite a late push over the final minutes, the Spirit were unable to find an equalizer before the final whistle.
OUAZ finished with three shots, including shots on goal from Dutra and Galus, while the defense limited the Mustangs to just one goal on 15 shots.
The Spirit will look to bounce back on Saturday, Oct. 17, when they travel to Prescott, Arizona, to take on No. 9 Embry-Riddle in another key GSAC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. as OUAZ continues its push toward the postseason.
