Abby Donathan
Alex Morgan
2
Winner Northern Ariz. NAU (1-0-0, 0-0-0)
0
Grand Canyon GCU (0-2-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Northern Ariz. NAU
(1-0-0, 0-0-0)
2
Final
0
Grand Canyon GCU
(0-2-0, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Northern Ariz. NAU 2 0 2
Grand Canyon GCU 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Katie Rapp, NAU Athletic Communications

NAU Soccer Begins 2021 Spring Season with 2-0 Shutout Over GCU

PHOENIX, Ariz. (February 7, 2021) – Northern Arizona University dominated the ball against Grand Canyon University in the first match of the season. 

"It feels great to get some balls in the back of the net," head coach Kylie Louw said in regards to how today's match went. "It was great. We came in with a plan, the players executed our plan and then we had to adapt. At the end of the day, we get the win."

Scoring right out of the gate just three minutes in, the Lumberjacks set up their offensive strategy, scoring on the 'Lopes early on. With the first goal of the year, Abby Donathan, the sophomore from Glendale, Ariz., jumpstarted NAU's lead after a pass from senior Paige Maling. 

Just eight minutes later, the Lumberjacks scored once again to secure their 2-0 winning score. On another connect from Maling, senior Kayla Terhune scored the second goal from deep outside of the box hitting right smack dab in the center of the net. 

Northern Arizona kept the pressure on the 'Lopes through the remainder of the first half, tallying a total of seven shots compared to GCU's four. In the second, GCU upped its tenacity, recording eight shots to finish at 12.

Despite the push made by Grand Canyon after the half, the 'Lopes couldn't score on senior goalkeeper, Taryn Benham. With a few really close calls, Benham was able to make six saves in her 90 minutes of time on the field. This marks her first shutout of the season and 19th all-time. 

"It's big-time to get the shutout," Louw said. "Our defenders and our players work really hard defensively. I think Taryn came out with some big stops today. When you have that, and if it can carry throughout the season, it'll keep the ball out of the net."

With the win, Northern Arizona will look to compete at Arizona on Feb. 20 in Tucson, Ariz.
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