FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona women's soccer team opened up the 2017 season with a 2-0 sweep picking up their first victory over Texas State this evening, Aug. 18. Junior Mei-Te Coco started for the first time after coming back from a hamstring injury last season garnering her fourth career goal unassisted and first for the Lumberjacks this season. Carly Gamble pushed the scored to 2-0 before the half with an assist from freshman Mak Yarnell-Williams, who premiered for the first time in blue and gold.
"We talk about controlling the controllables, going out there and working hard," said Head Coach Andre Luciano. "As a coach, that's all I can ask for, is for them to work hard and give everything they have on the field. I'm really proud of the group as a whole including the ones who didn't travel; they were also a part of this win."
Seconds into the game, Texas State was in Northern Arizona's defensive third, testing senior starting goalkeeper Meghan Dickmann with a corner and a high shot. The Lumberjacks countered getting a corner of their own within minutes — neither resulting in good looks on goal. The Bobcats and Lumberjacks struggled to find a rhythm in the game with play going back and forth and the ball rarely being combined on the ground. The first goal came as the Bobcats defense attempted to clear the ball only to be intercepted by Coco who put it in the back of the net. Texas State just couldn't get passed the Lumberjacks' defense putting just three shots on goal. With a little more than 15 minutes remaining before halftime, Yarnell-Williams crossed a clean ball to Gamble for the game-winning goal.
"The goal this year is to be effective and score in a lot of different ways," Luciano said. "We are working to be balanced in front of goal by scoring during the run of play, on set-pieces and corner kicks."
Tonight, Luciano had the opportunity to see the team compete for the first time and was able to experiment with his 36-woman roster putting four freshmen on the field in Yarnell-Williams, Emma Robson, Paige Maling and Kayla Terhune. The Lumberjacks outshot the Bobcats 15-10 with nine of those on frame. In addition, the 'Jacks were able to produce five corner kicks.
"Everyone played fantastic," Luciano said. "There was great energy and a lot of opportunities were created for us."
Defensively, Dickmann and the defensive line controlled the back, recording just three saves compared to the Bobcats' seven.
Luciano and the 'Jacks will head to Houston for their second game of the weekend on Sunday.
"We will make sure to rest, enjoy the win, get some food and liquid and get ready to compete again," Luciano added.
Kick off against the Houston Cougars is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 20.
