FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 1, 2023) – The Lumberjacks earned their second-straight 4-2 Big Sky victory against the Idaho State Bengals on Sunday.
"Every game is a battle, we talk about bouncing back and responding and that's what this team does. I'm proud of the team, they did a really good job in the second half and kept fighting," head coach
Alan Berrios said.
The Jacks celebrated ten outstanding seniors at Lumberjack Stadium today, with all ten in the starting lineup.
Jaylin Borden,
Dai Williams,
Sammi Matula,
Grace Quinn,
Maddie Shafer,
Logan Maszton,
Allie Larsen,
Allison Veloz,
Josie Novak, and
Molly Massman all made starts alongside goalkeeper
Trinity Corcoran.
All four goals scored by the Lumberjacks were scored by a senior. As the game started, it looked to be a midfield battle through the first 15 minutes before the Jacks began to pick up momentum.
Molly Massman opened up scoring for the Lumberjacks, marking her first career goal with NAU off a pass from
Dai Williams. Massman picked up the pass and quickly sent a grounder, sailing past ISU's keeper, Kelsey Jargstorf.
The Bengals were able to settle back in after their kickoff, and both teams went back-and-forth in a defensive battle. The Jacks took the 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Lumberjacks brought the energy back to the field as
Allison Veloz netted her fifth goal of the season as
Avery Ott connected from midfield and Veloz was able to make the run past two Bengal defenders to find the goal.
Maddie Shafer netted the Lumberjacks third goal of the day and her third of the season as
Allie Larsen took a free kick from about thirty feet out. Jargstorf saved Larsen's initial shot before Shafer picked up the deflection and found the back of the net.
The Bengals were able to respond in the 71
st minute as Rachel Fullmer found her first goal of the season, intercepting the ball as the Jacks were looking to clear inside the box and sent the goal in through some traffic in front of Corcoran.
Josie Novak wanted her piece of the action, looking to extend the lead back to three goals as ISU was picking up momentum. Novak took a free kick from just outside the right side of the box, immediately hitting the back of the net.
NAU will be back in action next Sunday to take on the Northern Colorado Bears at home for a 12 p.m. start. To stay up to date with NAU Soccer, follow the Jacks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
