TMU Men's Soccer falls to OUAZ

TMU Men's Soccer registered 10 shots, including four on goal, but Ottawa University Arizona prevented the Mustangs from finding the back of the net, as the Spirit left Reese Field on Wednesday afternoon with a 4-0 Golden State Athletic Conference victory.
 
"I can't fault the players because they are giving me everything they have," Master's head coach Jim Rickard said. "We just ran out of gas the last handful of minutes."
 
The Spirit outshot the Mustangs just 6-5 in the first half, but that extra shot proved beneficial with the visitors taking the lead in the 26th minute. Aidan Rohde's header five minutes before halftime forced a save, as OUAZ took a 1-0 advantage into halftime.
 
The Mustangs looked dangerous to start the second half, with Rohde and Giorgio Martino putting shots on target in the first few minutes after the break.
 
Then about a minute later, a service across the face of goal found an outstretched Paul Kopp, but he was unable to re-direct the ball on goal with his left foot.
 
"In soccer it's critical to score goals," Rickard said. "Goals give you a lift of energy and purpose. Without that reward it is mentally and physically exhausting. It takes a toll on everyone."
 
The Spirit then doubled its lead in the 62nd minute. TMU's Jesus Torres fired wide from outside the box four minutes later, which proved to be the final shot the Mustangs recorded on the afternoon.
 
OUAZ then tacked on two late goals, including one just before the final whistle, to build its four-goal margin of victory.
 
"Ottawa is a talented and deep team," Rickard said. "That showed late in the game."
 
Master's (1-6-2 overall, 0-5-1) finishes out its GSAC regular season against Arizona Christian University (4-6, 2-3) on Thursday. Kick-off on Reese Field is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.