Surprise, AZ- On Thursday evening, Sophomore Marisa Ortiz used three superb goals to record a hat trick as Arizona Christian won 3-1 over Ottawa (AZ).  For Ortiz, her three goals gave her the Arizona Christian Women's Soccer career scoring record.

The opening half was uneventful as the Firestorm (6-7-1) outshot the Spirit (7-6) 6-1 with four of the ACU shots on goal as the game remained tied 0-0 at the break.

However, just over two minutes in the second half, OUAZ scored the first goal of the contest off a ball served in on a corner kick.

But four minutes later, Ortiz went to work by beating two defenders and drilling a left footed shot from 25 yards out in the right upper V.  For Ortiz, her 11th goal of the year tied her atop the ACU scoring list with her 25th career goal in just 30 career games.

Seven minutes later, ACU women's soccer history was made when Ortiz took a feed from Freshman Sarahie Torres and launched a 30 yard rocket in the top left corner.  The record changing shot that broke the tie with Chelsea Ruland (2011-14) also turned out to be the game winner.

In the 85th minute, Ortiz put the finishing touches on her evening after running on to a ball played over the top by Freshman Irene Ledezma and Ortiz flicked her shot over the goalkeeper from 18 yards out into the net.

Reflecting on the quality of the goals, Head Coach Alan Berrios stated, "I never seen three amazing goals from one player in one game like I saw tonight from Marisa.  She is special."

Ortiz concluded her evening with three goals on six shots (five on goal).  Torres and Sophomore Sarah Carrell put both of their two shots on goal.

Afterwards, Ortiz commented, "I am actually really, really happy.  But it was team effort.  It was not just me.  I very excited but it is very, very humbling.  Go ACU!"

Berrios added, "The girls played really well tonight for 90 minutes.  We gave up an unfortunate goal two minutes into the second half on a corner kick.  But we stuck to the plan and kept pressing them and dictating the pace of the game.  I thought we controlled the majority of the game and created some really good chances in the second half.  Super happy for Marissa on breaking the school's all-time scoring record as a sophomore.  She is a special player."

For the Firestorm, they return to GSAC action for the remainder of the regular season starting with San Diego Christian on Saturday.  The game with the Hawks will be played at Cuyamaca College at 1:30 pm.