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The Spirit and Stanton battled through a scoreless first half as both teams generated opportunities, but strong goalkeeping on each side kept the match even heading into the break.

Stanton applied early pressure, recording a pair of corner kicks and several chances in the opening 30 minutes. OUAZ goalkeeper Jack Murdoch was up to the challenge, making key saves in the 18th, 30th and 40th minutes to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.

The Spirit nearly broke through midway through the first half when Matthew DePaco headed a chance wide in the 24th minute. Later, Marcos Chavez tested Stanton goalkeeper Giovanny Jacon with a shot on frame in the 40th minute, but the visitors preserved the scoreless draw through 45 minutes.

Stanton found the game's lone goal less than two minutes into the second half. In the 47th minute, Lucas Valle finished a pass from Juan Rueda to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

OUAZ continued to push for an equalizer and created several opportunities in the second half. Murdoch kept the Spirit within striking distance with two more saves after halftime, finishing the night with five saves.

The Spirit's best chance to level the match came in the 76th minute when Chase Saverino put a shot on goal, but Jacon made the stop. OUAZ added one final opportunity late in regulation, but a shot from Mason Whisler sailed high in the 88th minute.

Stanton held a narrow 11-6 advantage in shots and a 6-2 edge in shots on goal. The visitors also earned all four corner kicks in the match.

Murdoch led OUAZ with five saves, while Jacon recorded two saves to earn the shutout for Stanton.

By the Numbers

• Jack Murdoch: 5 saves
• OUAZ shots on goal: 2
• Stanton shots on goal: 6
• Stanton corner kicks: 4
• Attendance: 93

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