GAME NOTES (PDF)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – After opening Big Sky Conference competition this past weekend against last season's top programs, the Northern Arizona women's soccer team will host their conference home opener against Northern Colorado and North Dakota, Friday Sept. 29 and Sunday Oct. 1, respectively. The Lumberjacks have won a combined 12 out of 19 games against these two universities in the history of the NAU program. Head Coach Andre Luciano and the 'Jacks are looking to improve upon their current 1-1 Big Sky record and 6-5 overall record.

"The conference aspect of points is really important; we have to take points away from opponents and we have to gain points at the same time," Luciano said. "This weekend we are going to try and maximize our home-field advantage and come out with two positive results."

This weekend, Northern Arizona will continue celebrating 20 Years of NAU Soccer by bringing former players back in appreciation of their contributions to the Lumberjack legacy. Friday night will be Alumni Appreciation night as we welcome back former soccer athletes. More than 220 athletes have come through the soccer program and under two coaches, current coach Luciano and former coach Tracy Custer; the Lumberjacks have won more than 150 games, a regular season championship and three conference titles.

"The athletes that came through here were great representatives for the university and they brought a lot of diversity to our program from different regions of the country," Luciano said. "I love these girls a lot and they've grown up to be great women, mothers, spouses and professionals."

Along with celebrating the NAU women's soccer alumni, students will receive free pizza with an NAU ID and fans will receive mini soccer stress balls. Following the game, there will be an autograph session with the athletes.

Northern Colorado is currently 7-4 overall and 1-1 in the Big Sky along with the Lumberjacks. The Bears are coming off a 1-0 win against Weber State and a 2-1 loss to Idaho State. Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona have had many matchups over the years; the Bears are led by Tim Barrera, who is currently the longest-tenured coach in women's soccer followed by Luciano. The two coaches are currently tied in their series 7-7.
 
"Northern Colorado will be a great opponent," Luciano said. "Tim Barrera is a very good coach and we've had many battles over the years."
 
The Bears have scored 19 goals in their 11 games, averaging nearly two goals per game. With 13 returning letterwinners, seven returning starters and seven newcomers, the Bears have a very experienced roster. Kick off against the Lumberjacks is set for 7 p.m.

North Dakota is currently the only undefeated Big Sky team after sweeping Idaho State 2-0 and Weber State 1-0. The Fighting Hawks are 4-3-3 overall going into this weekend and will compete against Sacramento State Friday before taking on the 'Jacks Sunday.

"North Dakota has implemented a new system of play with a new coach, their players are feeling pretty good about it and they've done a great job defensively," Luciano said.

North Dakota is averaging a goal a game after attempting 110 shots, 46 on goal. The Fighting Hawks have recorded five shutouts this season and are currently leading the Big Sky defensively. The 28-women roster is led by newly named Head Coach Chris Logan.

Looking Ahead
Northern Arizona will continue conference play on the road against the Portland State Vikings and the Montana Grizzlies. The 'Jacks will take on the Vikings Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. and the Grizzlies Oct. 8 at noon. The Lumberjacks will hit the midway point of conference next weekend with just four more games until postseason competition.

Veteran Affairs
The Lumberjacks 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.