ROCKLIN, Calif. – The final march for the postseason is approaching, and with just four matches to go, the Warriors welcomed OUAZ to Warrior Field as both sides looked for a pivotal three points. It was an epic battle, but in the end, OUAZ came out on top with a 3-2 victory.
 
Jessup, now 1-4-1 within the GSAC, remains on four points and are just three points shy of the final spot in the GSAC Tournament.
 
Head coach Greg Lazaga offered praise for his opponents after the match, stating, "Their athletic wings are dangerous, and it cost us a couple of goals. Through all that, we still had another great opportunity at the end."
 
Thursday started with a bang, as Jessup took the lead just ten minutes into the match. A breakaway chance set up an opportunity for Diego Nunez, but he was denied by the keeper. The ricochet bounced directly to the feet of Jordan Gallow, who shot one off the post and into the back of the net.
 
Gallow's goal was the lone tally at the break, as Jessup narrowly led the shot count 9-8.
 
It would not take long for the Spirit to respond out of halftime, as Tirouan Desveaux evened the score in the 47th minute. Two minutes later, a penalty awarded to the Spirit set up Tinashe Simbo, who converted to take a 2-1 lead.
 
The Warriors would not go quietly into the night as they continued to press for an equalizer. The press paid off in the 73rd minute when a corner kick from Augustine Chulu bounced off Isaac Morfin, then finding Luis Cruz, who scored his first goal with the Warriors to even the bout.
 
One of the themes from Thursday's match was penalty kicks. OUAZ was awarded two, but their second one went denied by a diving save from Gerardo Perez Plata. Jessup received one in the 88th minute, but Luis Castillo's attempt too was denied.
 
"Luis (Castillo) had a nice game," said Lazaga. "I would pick him again to take the penalty. We will continue to work. We are right there."
 
OUAZ took the lead with a goal in the 80th minute.
 
"Really frustrating for our guys as this is the third result in GSAC that went away in the final minutes," added Lazaga. "We got a lot of what we wanted in that game. We had good play in all our offensive phases. It produced great opportunities. Defensively we held solid for long stretches. Just had a handful of breakdowns."
 
Perez Plata played all 90 minutes, recording four saves. Both sides finished with 18 shots, with Jessup firing 12 on goal to the Spirit's seven.
 
The Warriors have just one home match left on the calendar, and it comes Saturday when they welcome Arizona Christian for a 1 p.m. match.
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).