FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona women's soccer team is just about midway through Big Sky action going into this weekend on the road. With an 8-5 overall record and 3-1 Big Sky record, the Lumberjacks currently sit at the top of the conference standings. This weekend, the Lumberjacks will travel to Oregon Friday, Oct. 6 and Montana Sunday, Oct. 8 to face the Portland State Vikings and the Montana Grizzlies.

"Any time we have a conference game they are all equally just as important," Head Coach Andre Luciano said. "Portland State is very good at home and they are going to be a difficult opponent to break down."

So far this season, the Lumberjacks have been creating ample of opportunities in front of goal, scoring when they need it most. The 'Jacks have garnered 171 shots, putting 72 on goal, with seven athletes in the double digits for shot attempts and 11 with at least one goal this season. Currently leading the Lumberjacks up top is senior Adrian Nixt and sophomore Malia Lyken both with eight points. Nixt has scored two goals including a game-winner and recorded four assists and 25 shots.  Lyken is leading with three goals including two game-winners in addition to her two assists and 13 shot attempts.

"It's always tough playing the Grizzlies in Montana," said Luciano. "They are always dangerous, they are extremely organized defensively — they've only given up 10 goals this year — and it's going to come down to how well each team recovers from Friday's game, who comes out the most fired up for a result."  

Defensively, the Lumberjacks have had a change in lineup, with freshman goalkeeper and Big Sky Player of the Week Taryn Benham debuting in blue and gold for the first time last weekend. Overall, Northern Arizona has garnered six shutouts, two from Benham.

This weekend Northern Arizona will first take on the Vikings Friday at 1 p.m. MST before heading to Montana to face the Grizzlies at noon on Sunday. Both games will be streamed on Pluto TV and live stats will be available.

The Portland State Vikings are coming off a 2-1 win over Idaho State and sit near the top of the Big Sky standings with NAU and Eastern Washington at 5-6 overall and 2-1 in conference. The Vikings were picked to finish ninth in the preseason poll and are currently third. The Lumberjacks will go into the weekend 13-5-5 against the Vikings winning the last three match-ups 2-1.

Portland State has already garnered 18 goals so far this season, four in conference competition. The Vikings have been pressuring every opponent so far with 161 total shot attempts, 76 on goal and 30 corner kicks. Senior Katie Forsee has been leading the Vikings with six goals, two assists and more than 50 shots in just 12 games. Defensively, the Vikings have recorded four shutouts with junior goalkeeper Abbie Faingold. Portland State is led by first-time Head Coach Katie Burton.

Montana is currently 6-5-2 overall going into the midway point of the conference season. The Grizzlies are coming off of a 1-0 loss to Idaho State and a 1-1 tie against Weber State in double overtime. Montana will compete against Sacramento State Friday before hosting the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. The Grizzlies have scored 13 goals so far this season, averaging a goal a game, with no one athlete scoring more than two goals yet this season.
 
Montana is 14-6-3 against the Lumberjacks with the last three match-ups resulting in a double overtime tie. The 32-woman roster is led by Head Coach Mark Plakorus who is in his seventh year with the Grizzlies.
 
Looking Ahead
With just four games left, Northern Arizona is looking to solidify a spot in postseason action. The Lumberjacks will host their final three home games over the next two weekends against Weber State, Idaho State and Southern Utah. The 'Jacks will host Weber State Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. and Idaho State Oct. 15 at noon.

Veteran Affairs
The 'Jacks graduated a wealth of knowledge from the roster, including two All-Big Sky selections from 2016 in Lindsay Doyle and Missy Kettelkamp. But with seniors like top-scorer Adrian Nixt and forward Anna Goebel for the front line and Riley Porter a force to be reckoned with in the back line, the Lumberjacks bring back a number of veterans.

Nixt competed and started in all but one game last season picking up a season-high nine goals, five of which were game-winning goals. An All-Conference first team selection Nixt finished tied for third in game-winning goals in a season, tied for sixth in shots in a season and tied for eighth in points in a season. Goebel left her mark coming off the bench competing in all but one game. With only one goal in the regular season, Goebel came alive in the conference tournament scoring three goals, two of which were game-winners.

Newcomer News
NAU's 34-women roster is comprised of 21 underclassmen including nine incoming freshmen. The Lumberjack squad is young, but they are a formidable bunch returning 15 letterwinners, three of which earned All-Conference nods. With 11 different goal-scorers last season, there is not any one star the blue and gold will rely on this year.