FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 17, 2021) - The Lumberjacks recorded their fourth straight win for the last home game in Lumberjack Stadium, getting the shutout and scoring two goals. Senior Madison Montgomery scored one and assisted the second goal coming from Flagstaff's own, Maddie Shafer.
The match started out slow for both teams, as the ball was being controlled in the midfield for the majority of the first twenty minutes. Both teams displayed their aggressive offensive tactics, with nineteen total fouls coming from the match, 10 for SUU and nine for NAU.
Montgomery did not let the emotions of senior day effect her skills on the field. In the 31st minute of the match, Abby Donathan threw in from the right side of the field to Josie Novak who's pass was broken up by a Thunderbird defender. The ball bounced off the defender, and Montgomery saw her chance to step up and sent a quick shot inside the box, sailing past the goal keeper in the bottom right of the net.
"I definitely wanted to leave an impact, especially on my last game here and I think that was probably one of my best collegiate goals and it felt really nice to be able to contribute to one of the best goals on LJ (Stadium) and I thought it was really cool that I was able to get the assist as well, it was a goodbye to LJ," Montgomery said.
The Lumberjacks led by one goal heading into halftime, looking to find more offensive momentum, and they did. In the 61st minute, Rylee Mitchell gave Shafer a pass through the middle, and Shafer found herself blocked in by two SUU defenders, not able to find a path. Montgomery stepped in, battling the Thunderbird goalkeeper, Megan Short, for the ball. The ball popped out and Montgomery was able to boot a pass back to Shafer who found the back of the net off a quick right foot tap.
In goal for the Lumberjacks was freshman Natalie Manzo, who recorded her fourth solo shutout of the season. Manzo made a total of three saves on the game. In goal for the Thunderbirds was Megan Short for the first 72 minutes of the match. Short made six saves and allowed NAU's two goals. Emma Rodgers subbed in as goalkeeper for the last 17 minutes of the match, and made two saves.
"The game today had some ups and downs so to come out with a win is huge, the players do play for each other and I think they played even harder today for their seniors, so to continue to carry the momentum forward is very important. It's important to note that the seniors have really shaped our program, they are a special group and I really appreciate how they've bought in to what we're trying to do here and they really have carried that torch," Head Coach Kylie Louw said.
The Lumberjacks will head back on the road after their three game home stretch, for the two last conference matches before Big Sky Championships in Greeley, Colo. On Friday, NAU takes on Sacramento State, with a kick-off time of 3:30 p.m. MST. On Sunday, the Lumberjacks close out the regular season at Portland State, and the match is set to start at 12 p.m. MST. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
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Gallery: (10-17-2021) NAU vs Southern Utah - 10/17/21
