NAU Soccer’s Goalkeeper Taryn Benham Breaks NAU Shutout Record in 2-0 Finish over Idaho State

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 28, 2021) – In her final home match of her time as a Lumberjack, Northern Arizona's graduating senior goalkeeper, Taryn Benham, made her 22nd shutout and now holds the record for most shutouts in an individual career. 

"It feels great," Benham said after the match. "I couldn't have done it without my defensive line, especially Emma Robson. She's been involved in all 22 of the shutouts and she's a huge part of it. All of them are really just the best defensive line. It's not only my record, it's theirs as well."

Benham, along with her back line, recorded today's clean sheet against Big Sky opponent Idaho State (0-5), in a 2-0 win for NAU. 

Not only was Northern Arizona's defense on fire today, but so was the offensive threat, evident by its 14 shot advantage over Idaho State.

Scoring her first goal of the spring, Sam Larberg found the back of Idaho State's net 12 minutes into the match. On a feed from Abby Donathan playing as the left back, Larberg worked past Idaho's defense and scored on ISU's keeper, McKayla Wetsel. 

At the 30th minute, Madison Montgomery scored her sixth goal of the year, bringing NAU up 2-0. Montgomery received the ball from junior midfielder Sydney Dennis going head to head with ISU's goalie. Challenging Wetsel, the Lumberjack was able to side-step the keeper, scoring in an open net. 

Both Dennis' and Donathan's assists also exemplified NAU's defense up the middle during the day.

The Lumberjacks continued with offensive pressure against the Bengals, forcing ISU to make four saves against a total of 17 shots. 

Idaho State was suppressed in its offensive efforts by Northern Arizona's fierce attacking style. Dictated to their side of the field and playing as defense, the Bengals were limited to three shots for the entire match, with two on-goal. 

With five straight wins under their belts, the Lumberjacks improve their season record to 6-1 and league record to a perfect 5-0. With the unbeaten conference record, the Lumberjacks sit atop of the Southeast Division standings. 

"It looks good in the winning column, but at the end of the day, you have to go out and win every game you play," head coach Kylie Louw said. "It does put us in a good position, but anything can change when you play new opponents and we're just trying to win every game that we play."

After having a bye this week, Northern Arizona's next opponent, Northern Colorado, also remains with a perfect record of 2-0. NAU will travel to Greeley, Colo., for its final pair of games next weekend, April 3 and 5. 

"I think we just take this confidence from being 5-0 into next weekend and just keep building, keep scoring goals, keep doing what we need to do on the defensive side, and keep having fun," Benham said.