Paige Maling
Maria Saldivar
3
Winner Northern Arizona NAU (4-1-0, 3-0-0)
0
Southern Utah SUU (1-2-1, 0-2-0)
Winner
Northern Arizona NAU
(4-1-0, 3-0-0)
3
Final
0
Southern Utah SUU
(1-2-1, 0-2-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Northern Arizona NAU 3 0 3
Southern Utah SUU 0 0 0

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

Lumberjacks Repeat Victory Over Big Sky Opponent, Southern Utah, 3-0

CEDAR CITY, UTAH (March 21, 2021) – Fueled by a first half scoring frenzy, NAU women's soccer (4-1, 3-0 Big Sky) won its second match against Big Sky opponent, Southern Utah (1-2-1, 0-2 Big Sky), 3-0. 

Senior Paige Maling earned her first brace this season and second all-time (Sept. 1, 2019), while junior Rylee Mitchell scored her first goal since the game winner against Idaho State on Oct. 27, 2019, earning the Lumberjack's bid into the 2019 Big Sky Soccer Championship. 

In addition to the two offensive players finding success, senior Taryn Benham marks her third clean sheet of the spring. The goalkeeper from Omaha, Neb. has now tied the all-time individual record of 21 shutouts.

With a total of four saves in today's match against Southern Utah, Benham now has 18 saves this year attached to her name, recording a save percentage of 0.783.

The shutout recorded today can't only be credited to the senior keeper. In an effort to keep SUU from scoring, the defensive back line fought tenaciously in protecting the goal. 

"Rylie Curran had some very bright moments this weekend. She does an incredible job of putting her self on the line and stopping big plays. She has some special tools which we are adding into our attack and she did that this weekend with an assist," head coach Kylie Louw said.

"Our back line stepped up in their own ways this weekend with Sydney Dennis adjusting well to a slightly different role, Emma Robson who is always reliable, and Abby Donathan who plays with tenacity," Louw continued. "Kayla Terhune reads the game very well and also produced from attacking standpoint as well. Taryn made some very big saves for us and has done so in every game we have played. I'm very happy with the adjustments we made and how they responded."

In the first 45 minutes of play, the Lumberjacks tallied three goals over the Thunderbirds almost 12 minutes apart on each. Northern Arizona truly kept the offensive pressure on full blast during the entire first, taking 12 shots and forcing SUU's Jennifer Kovisto to make four saves.

To begin the offensive threat, senior Maling scored the first goal 11 minutes in. On a cross from Madison Montgomery from the outside left, Maling was lined up perfectly in the center to send the ball into the back of the net, ultimately gaining a 1-0 lead over the T-birds.

Maling would find her second goal at minute 26. After being fouled in the box, SUU gave up a penalty kick and allowed the senior the chance to score once again.

"We had an excellent attacking threat this weekend," Louw said. "Our attackers are starting to play with some chemistry with Monte and Paige pairing up well and both finding ways to hit the back of the net. Rylee Mitchell adding to the group as well. It's great to see players take ownership in finding ways to win."

This marks Maling's second brace of her Lumberjack career. Her first came against Detroit Mercy in her junior year on Sept. 1, 2019, helping NAU to beat the Titans 4-0.

Within the 38th minute of the game, Mitchell would send the ball over Kovisto's head, dropping right behind the keeper. This goal would secure the 3-0 win over Southern Utah, with the Lumberjacks advancing to 3-0 in Big Sky play and to 4-1 overall.

"I am so incredibly proud of this group," Louw said. "They deserve the reward for working hard and having an excellent mentality. We will enjoy this one today but it's back to work tomorrow."

As the Lumberjacks headed into the second half, Northern Arizona slowed down a little bit offensively with five shots, as Southern Utah remained the same as in the first with three. 

With the series win in Cedar City, NAU will return to Flagstaff for its final home stand of the 2021 spring season. The Lumberjacks will host Idaho State (0-2, 0-1 Big Sky) at Flagstaff High School this coming Friday, March 26, and Sunday, March 28.
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