GREELEY, Colo. (October 12, 2018) – Northern Arizona Women's Soccer team was able to come out and put two goals up in the second half of its game against Northern Colorado to win 2-0. The goals came from senior
Ari Gonzalez and freshman
Ana Rivera. With the win, NAU clinches its spot in the Big Sky Conference tournament.
"We have bigger aspirations than just clinching a spot in the conference tournament," NAU head coach
Andre Luciano said. "The team is special as we set the tone defensively and the offense is just starting to hit their stride."
The win pushes the Lumberjacks to 9-3-2 on the season and second in the Big Sky with a record of 5-0-1. The 'Jacks only trail Weber State by half a game. The two teams faced off in a 0-0 tie earlier in the season. While with the loss Northern Colorado falls to 8-7-0 on the year and 4-2-0 in the conference.
Heading into the game, it looked to be a battle of strengths between NAU's defense and UNC's offense.
The first half consisted of a very even game with both teams racking up five shots apiece. The 'Jacks best chance to score was off a shot from Gonzalez that was just wide of the net.
In the 45 minutes, Northern Arizona was able to show its strength by just giving up two shots on net. The sophomore goalkeeper
Taryn Benham was able to display why she leads the conference in shutouts, as she made two big saves that kept the match tied up.
Once the second half started, it was all 'Jacks from here on out.
In the 48
th minute, Gonzalez was able to make a great run down the sideline where fellow senior
Haleigh Van Allen split the defenders with a pass and find Gonzalez without breaking a stride. Gonzalez was able to do the rest, as she put the ball past the Bears goalkeeper Taylor Washington. This is Gonzalez second goal of the season.
"Van Allen and I have worked together for the past four years, and now we've gained the trust where we know we can count on each other," Gonzalez said. "I know that if I make the right run, she will be able to find my feet."
Less than ten minutes after the first goal in the 58
th minute Rivera was able to find a cross from sophomore
Kayla Terhune at the back post and score on a one-timer. This is the freshman's third goal in just six conference games.
Even with the two goals, the NAU defense was the real story of the game as they held the highest scoring team in the Big Sky to a shutout on just nine shots. This marks the eighth shutout of the season for the Lumberjacks.
"The success of our defense is that the team is committed to defending," Luciano said. "It's just not our backline and goalkeeper, but all 11. They really do love to play for each other out there."
Northern Arizona will be back in action in Missoula, Mont. against Montana on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. MST.
