FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 6, 2018) – The Northern Arizona women's soccer team will be hosting both UNLV and CSU Bakersfield this weekend. The UNLV game will be played on Friday, Sept 7 at 7 p.m. MST and the Cal State Bakersfield game will be played on Sunday, Sept 9 at 1 p.m. MST. The Lumberjacks currently have a record of 3-1-1 on the season after ending the game against Army in a 0-0 tie. NAU was able to dominate the ball and possession in the game as they outshot the Black Knights 19-7, although not being able to capitalize on its opportunities on the night. The defense continued to be the backbone for the Lumberjacks, as this is their third shutout of the year and have not given up more than nine shots in the last four games.
"I like where we are in some aspects of our game and there are some things that we have yet to hit our potential on," NAU head coach
Andre Luciano. "I am optimistic that we can make things happen over the next two weeks before conference play."
Coming into this weekend UNLV is 4-1-1 on the season, as they are currently riding a two game winning streak, with the wins against CSUB and CSUN. The Rebels were picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West preseason poll.
CSUB is currently on a one game losing streak as they are 1-4 on the season. The Roadrunners are looking to bounce back from a 6-0 loss to UNLV this past Sunday. Cal State Bakersfield was picked seventh in the Western Athletic Conference.
2018 NAU Notables
The Scout
UNLV
Day: Friday, Sept 7
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Flagstaff, Ariz.
Coverage: Live Stats |
https://bit.ly/2yMR72F
The Rebels are coming off a game where their offense exploded for six goals, as they were able to beat CSUB 6-0. UNLV has shown the ability to score all years as they currently have 17 goals on the season, which leads the Mountain West Conference.
The Rebels scoring seems to come from their three headed monster of Caitlyn Kreutz, Amada Galbraith and Kalia Brinkman. Combined the three have scored 10 goals on the year.
"UNLV is a very high and octane offense that plays a very high tempo 4-3-3 scheme," Luciano said. "They are good on the dribble and get a lot of shots off. We're going to have to come out there and compete and use our strength which is our defense"
UNLV's defense is anchored down by Bella Myers and
Paige Almendariz. Myers currently leads the entire Rebels team with 555 minute on the year, while Almendariz is fourth with 462. The UNLV's goalkeeper is Emberly Sevilla, who has come up with 26 saves on the year.
CSUB
Day: Sunday, Sept 9
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Flagstaff, Ariz.
Coverage: Live Stats |
https://bit.ly/2yMR72F
The Roadrunners have lost four of five on the year, with their last lost to UNLV being there worst as they lost 6-0. CSUB has struggled offensively throughout the season as they have only scored two goals on the year. The two goals came from Aryana Harvey and Aminah Settles.
In goal the Roadrunners have Jordan Bertram, who is the returning starter from last year. In 2017 she had 85 saves through the 19 games.
"Bakersfield has some technical players that are very possessive oriented," Luciano said. "It will be important to manage that. They are a team that are trying to find their identity with the new coaching staff and we don't want to be they figure it out on."
Looking Ahead
Northern Arizona will be back under the lights next Friday as Arizona State University is coming into Flagstaff on Friday, Sept 14 at 7 p.m.
