It took a two-goal tally in the second half to allow The Master's University women's soccer team to claim a 3-1 win over Ottawa University (AZ) at Reese Field in Santa Clarita, Calif. on Thursday afternoon.
The Master's (11-3-1, 8-2-1) kept a balance between a powerful offense and a strong defense, as they fired a total of 28 shots, 18 of which came during the second half, outnumbering OUAZ's 12 shots throughout the entire match.
"It was a very good second half as a whole," TMU Women's Soccer Head Coach Esteban Chavez said after the game. "Not saying it was the first time this season but it was from everything. From goalkeeping, to defending, to midfield play, to our… forwards. We were able to keep possession of the ball so that we didn't tire out and we were dictating play because we had the ball."
But OUAZ put up an impressive fight against The Master's, as they scored the first goal 16:30Â into the game after a strong passing sequence.
Four minutes later, senior midfielder Lauren Park found the ball in front of the Spirit net and rifled the shot through the crowd and past the goalkeeper to get the Mustangs on the board.
The Mustangs and OUAZ would end the first half in a 1-1 tie, but all the momentum would turn in favor of the Mustangs.
Thirteen-and-a-half minutes into the second half, a pass from center field allowed senior forward Hannah Kopp to outrace the defense and beat the goalkeeper to get the Mustangs ahead.
And with less than 20 minutes left in the game, a header from sophomore forward Harmony Rohde ended up in the feet of graduate student forward Bekah Micu, who beat the goalkeeper to put the Mustangs 3-1.
With their win against the Spirit, the Mustangs secured their spot into the GSAC Championship Tournament with three games remaining in the regular season.
But for now, they will focus their attention on their match against Arizona Christian University at Reese Field in Santa Clarita, Calif. on Saturday.
"The good thing is… we didn't tire out today, so I think physically we should be able to go at it again on Saturday," Coach Chavez said.
