FULL 2021 SCHEDULE
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (July 22, 2021) – After much anticipation, Northern Arizona Soccer Head Coach Kylie Louw announces the Fall 2021 season schedule, a month ahead of kickoff for the Lumberjacks. Looking towards a fresh start and a brand new season, the 'Jacks will play a tough slate, noting nine non-conference games in addition to nine Big Sky matches.
NAU will begin the season on the road as they head to play Utah State on Aug. 21, and Utah Valley, on Aug 23. NAU's history with Utah Valley dates back to 2004, where NAU won the first matchup between the two teams, and went on to a loss in 2016. The series currently sits at a record of 3-1-1 in favor of NAU.
The Lumberjacks then make their way to play two Pac-12 teams, starting at University of Arizona (Aug. 27) and on to Oregon (Aug. 29). The meeting between Northern Arizona and Oregon will be the first for the two teams.
"My job is to put the players in a position to feel prepared," Louw said. "They're going to understand the quality of games to expect going into conference play and our non-conference does exactly that, prepares us."
Due to COVID-19, the Lumberjacks have not had fans in attendance since 2019. Beginning their seven home game slate, the 'Jacks will welcome fans in a full-attendance setting for all home games this fall.
"It's incredible, the opportunity to play in our home stadium again with the people that love us and support us is really what we've been waiting for for the last 16 months," Louw said. "It just gives us more energy and more passion so we cannot wait to have our supporters back."
Topping the schedule release is the Lumberjacks' seven home games, starting with Grand Canyon University on Sept. 3. The match is set to start at 7 p.m. MST at Lumberjack Stadium. The Lumberjacks' history with the Lopes goes as far back to 1997, with NAU holding a record of 8-2-0.
NAU will then venture south to Phoenix, where they face off with New Mexico (Sept. 9) and Denver (Sept. 11) in a neutral setting for all teams.
Arizona Christian will then head up to Flagstaff for the Lumberjacks' second home game and final non-conference date in Flagstaff on Sept. 16. Northern Arizona will finish up their non-conference matches in St. George, Utah against Dixie State on Sept. 19 with a start time of 12 p.m. MST.
NAU will host their first Big Sky Conference matches on Friday, Sept. 24 against Montana at 7 p.m. MST, and on Sunday, Sept. 26 against Northern Colorado at 1 p.m. MST.
The Lumberjacks then head on the road for a pair of away matches where they will meet with Idaho (Oct. 1) and Eastern Washington (Oct. 3). After this road trip, NAU heads into the final homestand of the season, playing Weber State (Oct. 8), Idaho State (Oct. 10), and Southern Utah (Oct. 17), before ending the regular season on the road at Sacramento State (Oct. 22) and Portland State (Oct. 24).
The 2021 Big Sky Conference Championship is scheduled for Nov. 3-7. Northern Arizona has won the championship three times in school history and qualified for the tournament the last seven seasons, making an impressive run last season with a heartbreaking end to the championship, as it was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols.
"I think the opportunity to play Power Five teams and NCAA Tournament teams will help our team measure where we are at," Louw said. "Our goal is to have success and if that means winning a championship and being able to play in the tournament, that's exactly where we want to be. Our team looks different this year, our culture has improved, our mentality has improved, our thought processes have improved so I'm really excited to watch how our players respond to the strength of our schedule."
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