TUCSON, Ariz. (August 27, 2021) - Madison Montgomery scored the lone goal for the Lumberjacks in the 2-1 loss against the Arizona Wildcats on Friday night.Â
Shifting from a 3-0 loss to the Wildcats in February, NAU showed tremendous improvement and kept in the game all 90 minutes.Â
"I just think that this team is so bought in, we have some newcomers that are coming to contribute everything they can and we have returners that are really wanting to win every game we can, we always have energy and effort and we're trying to add some of the pieces to that. I think the players are starting to believe in themselves," Head Coach Kylie Louw said.Â
Arizona scored a quick goal in the first ten minutes of the match as Kayden Heinrich found the back of the net off of a pass from Jill Aguilera to give the Wildcats the 1-0 lead.Â
In the 32nd minute, Montgomery raced down the right side and beat her defender to the ball, putting a fast shot on goal that was saved by Arizona goalkeeper Hope Hisey.Â
The Wildcats got their offensive momentum rolling and scored their second goal of the game right off the corner kick. Tianna Sidtikun found the ball in the crowded goal box and pushed past the Lumberjacks.Â
As NAU was gaining offensive momentum and seeing more ball control, Maddie Shafer snuck past two Arizona defenders and found Montgomery for the Lumberjacks goal. Montgomery went one on one with the goalie and side stepped Hisey to get the goal.Â
The Lumberjacks played a stronger second half, and held the Wildcats to their two goals, but it ultimately wasn't enough to bring NAU out on top.Â
NAU heads to Eugene, Oregon for their last match of the road trip on Sunday. The match is set to start at 1 p.m. MST, and you can watch it here.
"We're gonna play a team that's athletic and a team that cares, that's gonna fight just like we do. We need to create those chances and ultimately try and win the game. Our players wholeheartedly believe that before we start," Louw said.Â
