NAU Soccer Loses to Northern Colorado in 2-0 Shutout

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 26, 2021) - The Lumberjacks were handed their second loss in Big Sky play, falling to the Northern Colorado Bears in a 2-0 shutout.

The first half of the game was slow starting, while each team moved back and forth, not creating very many chances. The Lumberjacks were given four back-to-back corner kicks while UNC couldn't clear the ball. NAU put a shot on goal, but wasn't able to capitalize and find the back of the net.

Senior forward Lexi Pulley, leading goal scorer for the Bears as well as in the Big Sky, was able to put both of her shots on goal in the net for both of Northern Colorado's goals, blanking the Lumberjacks. Her first goal came in the 56th minute of the match, as NAU was unable to clear from the zone, Pulley saw her chance and scored from the right side of the box.

Pulley's second goal found the back of the net eight minutes later, on a quick pass as Britney Donais moved right to left for the assist. After today's goals, Pulley leads the Big Sky in goal scoring with 7 total on the season.

Freshman Natalie Manzo started in goal for the Lumberjacks, making nine saves and seeing 90 minutes of play. Manzo has recorded 821 minutes, and 60 saves through all 11 matches for NAU, along with a save percentage of .750.

The Lumberjacks created chances with seven shots on goal throughout the game, those shots coming from Sam Larberg (2), Josie Novak (2), Victoria Pucci (1), Maddie Shafer (1), and Madison Montgomery (1). In the seventh minute of the match, NAU saw one of their best chances as Larberg put up her first shot on goal, off a pass from Montgomery, and UNC's goalkeeper was able to come up with the stop.

The Bear's goalkeeper Ashley Franza saw her fourth start, and recorded seven saves to take her first win of the season.

"We work really hard to get the team everything that we can, we prepare well, we train well, we look at film and we meet with every player, and I just asked them to look within and maybe try and find things that they can start to bring. I think we're looking to the person next to us rather than taking a little more ownership, so I talked to them about that and how we can respond this week by maybe putting the team on our own backs rather than looking to someone else," Head Coach Kylie Louw said.

The Lumberjacks will head on the road this week to continue Big Sky Conference play. NAU will take on Idaho on Friday night, with a kick off time of 6 p.m. MST. Sunday, NAU heads to Washington to compete against Eastern Washington, the match is set to start at 1 p.m. MST.