FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 23, 2022) - With a convincing 3-0 win in Lumberjack Stadium, the Northern Arizona soccer team is the outright Big Sky regular season champion.
"It's amazing. This team worked hard, they believed in themselves and they came together after some adversity," Associate Head Coach Alan Berrios said.
For the first time since 2010, the Lumberjacks claim the Big Sky regular season championship and are the No. 1 seed heading into the conference tournament. The 'Jacks also tied the record for most conference wins in a season with a final Big Sky record of 7-1.
The Lumberjacks end the regular season on a 7 game win streak, and an overall record of 8-5-4.
The Lumberjacks pulled ahead in the first half off a goal from Grace Quinn, her first of the season, giving the 'Jacks the 1-0 lead 17 minutes into the match. Logan Maszton sent a long boot into the box from the right side of the field, connecting with Dai Williams. Williams was surrounded by three Vikings defenders, as the ball slipped out left where Quinn stepped up and scored into the bottom right corner.
The Vikings challenged the Lumberjacks in shots through the first half, outshooting NAU 10-8, however both teams entered halftime with four on goal a piece.
Coming out of the half, the 'Jacks goal was to create more opportunities in PSU's territory, and the NAU was able to do just that. The Lumberjacks found their second goal of the match just five minutes into the second half, from a long drive by Kayla Shebar. Shebar took the ball up the right side of the field, not stopping until she scored. Shebar showed off her footwork right outside the box, sending her goal right to the bottom corner of the net to put NAU up 2-0.
Sealing the victory was Dai Williams in the 74th minute of the match. Williams picked up a long boot from Jaylin Borden who connected all the way from NAU's box. Williams picked up the pass and quickly turned at midfield, driving all the way into Vikings territory, winning the one on one battle with PSU keeper and bringing the 'Jacks up 3-0.
Trinity Corcoran picked up her ninth shutout of the season, making five saves through the match. Corcoran moves up to No. 4 on NAU's all-time records list for shutouts in a season.
"Flagstaff is a special town, the way the town connects to the university is always special. Anywhere you go you see NAU gear everywhere, we play for everyone in the community, we play for Flagstaff and all the family and friends that come out everyday. We are super thankful," Berrios said.
The Lumberjacks will play in Greeley Colorado in the Big Sky tournament on Friday, Nov. 4 in the semifinal matchup. NAU will take on the winner of the #5 Weber State and #4 Sacramento State quarterfinal matchup.
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