Mitchell Scores Game Winner in Double Overtime, Lumberjacks Win 3-2 in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (October 22, 2021) - In thrilling fashion, Senior Rylee Mitchell stepped up in the second overtime, scoring the game-winning goal to put NAU over Sacramento State, 3-2.

In their first road match in three games, NAU soccer proved themselves with their fifth straight win, and the longest win streak in the Big Sky Conference. The Lumberjacks and the Hornets went head to head for ninety minutes, with both of the Hornets goals coming in the first half of the match. NAU put one on the board in the first half, and added another in the second half, tying up the match.

Sacramento's first goal came early off of a free kick early on in the match from Senior Aubrey Goodwill. Goodwill sent a quick shot straight to the goal, where the ball bounced off an NAU defender and Freshman Danna Restom scored the Hornets first goal of the match, her third of the season.

In the 32nd minute of the match Madison Montgomery made her first chance of the match, finding her way on a breakaway, scoring the Lumberjacks first goal of the night.

Heading into halftime, the Hornets led the Lumberjacks by one, but the 'Jacks weren't letting up.

"Each and every single one of them, regardless of minutes, have a place on this team. Once we do it for everyone on this team, it feels like a collective. Once we started working for each other, then the results started coming," Head Coach Kylie Louw said.

Mikhail Johnson displayed her footwork with NAU's second goal, with a quick shot after Mitchell sent a boot from the left side and Montgomery headed the pass forward. Johnson made a fast tap and didn't hesitate, for her second career goal in the blue and gold uniform.

After a ninety minute battle between the two teams, the score was tied and the match headed into overtime. NAU put up four shots in the first overtime, holding the Hornets to none, sending the match into double overtime.

"We seriously play for each other every day, we all had chances today and it was gonna come from someone. We all wanted it so bad," Mitchell said.

Just three minutes into the second overtime, Mitchell became the hero of the game, scoring the game winner and extended NAU's win streak to five, heading into their last match of the regular season on. Sunday, the Lumberjacks head to Portland State to take on the Vikings, the match is set to start at 12 p.m. MST, and can be streamed on ESPN+.