FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 11, 2022) - The Lumberjacks fell to the Air Force Academy after Falcons scored a buzzer beater in the final seven seconds to get the 2-1 win.
"When there's so many momentum swings in a game like that, it's devastating, but it gives you an edge and we've got to take that edge moving forward," Head Coach Kylie Louw said.
The Lumberjacks rallied back in the second half to tie the match up, but ultimately were unable to hold the Falcons off on Sunday afternoon. Sunday's match was the most even the shot count has been for the 'Jacks and opponents, as NAU outshot USAFA 24-22.
In the 24th minute of the match, Air Force opened up scoring on a penalty kick goal by Andrea Mosher. Jenna Rubidoux brought the ball up the middle of the field, putting a shot on goal that was saved by Ashley Williams. The ball bounced out, and the falcons were quickly awarded a penalty kick as a result of NAU's defense protecting the net. Mosher scored Air Force's first goal in the bottom right corner of the net.
The teams headed into their locker rooms for halftime with equal possession time, as the 'Jacks were looking to tie things up.
Kayla Shebar found her first NAU career goal, as she went one-on-one with USAFA's goalkeeper Cammi Bych in the 64th minute of the match. Rylie Curran sent a long boot right outside the box as Allison Veloz flicked a pass up, Dai Williams tipped the ball up and Shebar came speeding past Air Force defenders, finding the back of the net to tie the match up.
Both teams saw chances to break the tie up, NAU's biggest one coming in the 87th minute of the match as Josie Novak was awarded a penalty kick. Novak's shot was just high, leaving the match tied at 1-1.
With just seconds left in the match, the Falcons took a free kick behind midfield, sending the ball right into NAU's box. With traffic in front of the net, the ball bounced back from NAU's defense and Raine Komata was able to take the shot, winning the match for Air Force.
"I'm telling them not to give up, we have conference coming up and we left everything out on the field today and I told them that we have to change the momentum, it's on us. We can't wait for anybody else to do it," Louw said.
The Lumberjacks will play this Thursday in Lumberjack Stadium, hosting Ottawa for a 7 p.m. matchup.
