FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 5, 2018) – Freshman
Ana Rivera was able to breakthrough for the go-ahead goal in the match for Northern Arizona University in their win against Portland State at Lumberjack Stadium. NAU was eventually able to finish the night with a definitive 2-0 victory over PSU.
With the win, the Lumberjacks will move to 7-3-2 on the season and 3-0-1 in the Big Sky Conference. Whereas Portland State falls to 3-9-0 on the year, while moving to 1-4 in the conference.
The first half was very even as neither team was able to breakthrough for a goal. The 'Jacks best chance came off of a corner by
Mei-Te Coco, where
Emma Robson was able to head the ball towards the net. Unfortunately, a Viking defender was able to block the shot. A big reason for the 0-0 draw going into half was NAU's goalkeeper
Taryn Benham, as she was able to pick up three saves on the half.
With the first half being even, the second half was all Northern Arizona.
The first goal of the match, came way of
Ana Rivera in the 53
rd minute. Rivera was able to connect on a one timer off of a cross from
Tatum Heeres, marking her second goal on the season. The freshman from Hawaii has been one of the big play makers for the 'Jacks as she has two goals and two assists in her four conference games on the year.
"Rivera doesn't play like a freshman," Luciano said. "She is an extremely technical player, and a player that can be a play maker and a finisher. Overall, she fits very well into our system and our older players enjoy playing with her. "
Less than twenty minutes after the first goal, NAU was able to strike for their second goal of the match off of a beautiful shot from
Kayla Terhune. The defensive midfielder was able to strike the ball from 20 yards out into the upper 90 of the net.
Victoria Cooper was able to pick up an assist on the play.
Before the ending whistle blew, the Lumberjacks almost put a third goal up on the scoreboard when
Ari Gonzalez's shot went off the top of the post. The 'Jacks showed a dominate offense as they were able to total 11 shots in the half.
"The difference in the offense between halves was in the second half we played as a team, Luciano said. "They enjoyed playing for each other and not just with each other."
The Northern Arizona defense also had another dominating game on the year, as the team held its sixth opponent to a shutout. The Lumberjacks were able to hold the Vikings to just 10 shots on the night. Only 5 of the shots were on target.
"The defensive success is just the team buying in," concluded Luciano. "All 11 of them on the field and 32 on the roster have bought in. It's not just our backline, but our defensive midfielders; Terhune and
Carly Gamble do so much dirty work in the midfield and they don't get recognized for it because they don't get the stats. We don't let teams be dangerous against us because we work so hard to knock down the first and second ball the time"
Northern Arizona will be back in action at Lumberjack Stadium on Sunday, Oct 7 at 12 p.m. MST against Sacramento State.
