GREELEY, Colo. (November 6, 2022) - For the first time in NAU program history the Lumberjacks claimed both the regular season championship as well as the Big Sky tournament championship after a 0-0 (4-3) PK winning game against the Idaho Vandals.
"This team never gave up, they kept fighting and kept believing and they turned it around. The turnaround is unbelievable and I'm so thankful and so happy to be a part of this team," Associate Head Coach Alan Berrios said.
For a second straight match, the Lumberjacks were tied through the full 90 minutes of play, went into both 10 minute overtime periods and headed into PK's to find a decision.
NAU forced Idaho to play at a faster pace, and Idaho adjusted well but ultimately was not able to hold the 'Jacks back.
The Lumberjacks and the Vandals both put 2 shots on goal throughout the first half, with NAU outshooting Idaho 8-2 total. The match was highly defensive throughout the all 110 minutes of play with both back-lines putting in the work and keeping the opponent out of the box for the majority of the match.
The Lumberjacks saw a number of chances both inside and outside of the box, forcing Vandals goalkeeper Kira Witte to make six saves total through the entire 110 minutes. Trinity Corcoran played the full 110 for NAU, making seven saves throughout the match, including a huge penalty kick save at the end of the match to help secure the Lumberjacks win.
Idaho relied on Margo Schoesler, Annika Farley, Makenzie Burks, Ariel Lofton, and Sara Evans during the shootout, with three Vandals' making their shots and two missing.
Taking the penalty kicks for NAU Abby Donathan who made the first one for the Jacks, followed by makes from Maddie Shafer, Mikhail Johnson, and Rylie Curran. Curran, for the second game in a row, scored the game-winning penalty kick in the shootout.
Six Lumberjacks were named to the Big Sky all-tournament team after the win, including Defender Rylie Curran, Defender Abby Donathan, Forward Josie Novak, Midfielder Maddie Shafer, Midfielder Mikhail Johnson, and Goalkeeper Trinity Corcoran. Corcoran was also named the tournament MVP after two stellar games for the sophomore keeper. Corcoran made 17 saves through both tournament games, including three crucial penalty kick saves to bring the Jacks to their playoff berth.
"When you're knocked down, the only thing there is to do is get back up and finish it. They got back up and it's just been awesome to watch," Berrios said.
The Lumberjacks extended their win streak to 10 games, not losing a match since Sept. 29 to Weber State. The Lumberjacks hold the fourth best win streak in the NCAA currently.
The NCAA DI Women's Soccer selection show will air tomorrow at 2 p.m. MST on the NCAA's website, where NAU will find out where they are headed for the NCAA tournament next weekend.
