FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 17, 2021) – Plenty of firsts for the Lumberjacks brings the team to record their first win of the season, beating Arizona Christian 6-0 in shutout victory fashion.
Maddie Shafer scored her first career goal as a Lumberjack two minutes into the match, and found her second in the last five minutes.
"Honestly, it's a surreal feeling. I've been waiting to score for a very long time so getting the first two is a really good feeling, especially being home. We've all been working really hard as a team and a lot of people played really well tonight. We built confidence and a couple others got their first goals as well, which is really good for us as a group. This is what we needed," Shafer said.
Adding to the night of firsts for NAU soccer, Grace Quinn found her first career goal in the 22nd minute of the match. Quinn skated past the Arizona Christian defender, taking the shot from about 12 yards back to find the back of the net for the Lumberjacks second goal of the match.
Senior Sydney Dennis got in on the action as she scored the second-chance goal for the Lumberjacks off of a corner kick from Rylee Mitchell. Mitchell sent the kick right in front of ACU's goalkeeper, and taking the shot was Mikella Reed on a header. Jennifer Sanchez, in goal for the Firestorm, got a save from Reed's shot but wasn't able to hold on to it, when Dennis capitalized and sent the ball in goal for NAU's third goal of the match.
Coming out of the halftime, the Lumberjacks kept the momentum they built in the first and quickly found their fourth goal from Sam Larberg. Quinn found Larberg speeding up the left side of the field, as Larberg beat out an ACU defender, and made the quick shot for NAU.
In the 74th minute of the match, Madison Montgomery sent a pass right to the left of the goal, connecting with Victoria Pucci for her first career goal as a Lumberjack, and the fifth goal of the night for the team.
In goal for the Lumberjacks, Natalie Manzo, recorded her first career shutout with three saves. Manzo was quick to come out of her box to stop any chances Arizona Christian saw on that side of the field.
The Lumberjacks will head to St.George, Utah to face the Dixie State Trailblazers in what will be the team's first meeting. This match is set to start at 11 a.m. MST, and will be the Lumberjacks' last match before heading into Big Sky conference play next week.
Gallery: (9-20-2021) NAU vs Arizona Christian - 9/17/21
