FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 8, 2023) – After roughly a two-and-a-half-hour weather delay the Lumberjacks continued the momentum to pick up a 3-0 shutout win at Lumberjack Stadium against the Northern Colorado Bears, marking NAU's third straight victory.
"I thought it was a great performance from start to finish, we controlled the game and we had a plan in place and the team executed it, I'm really proud of them." head coach
Alan Berrios said.
The Jacks quickly were able to control the possession, as
Josie Novak brought the Lumberjacks one of their first chances of the match just six minutes in, forcing a corner kick off a UNC defender deflection.
Maddie Shafer played the ball short to
Allie Larsen outside the box as Larsen sent a pass midfield to
Avery Ott. Ott looked for a Lumberjack forward inside the box, however Northern Colorado's back line intercepted the pass and cleared the ball.
With 38 minutes remaining in the first half, the head referee stopped the match for a lightning delay. The match resumed play at 2:50 p.m. MST.
The delay did not slow the Jacks down as NAU scored three goals in the first eleven minutes after returning to play. Shafer quickly opened up scoring just 13 minutes into the match, six minutes into the return to the pitch. Netting her fourth goal of the season, Shafer made a run up the midfield, sending the shot in from just outside the box to score in the bottom right corner of the net.
Allison Veloz followed up with the Jacks second goal of the game just one minute later. Veloz made her way up the field, taking her chance through three Northern Colorado defenders, quickly putting the Lumberjacks up with a two-goal lead early on.
After a run up the right side of the field, Larsen was able to connect with Shafer who quickly sent a shot on, going through two UNC defenders and straight past the Bears keeper, Maddie Smith.
NAU's
Trinity Corcoran was only tested one time through the first 45 minutes of play, while the Lumberjacks put nine shots on target. Both teams agreed to a five-minute halftime after the long delay to begin.
With a three-goal cushion, the Jacks were able to continue with control over the ball in the second half of the match. The Lumberjacks matched their season-high with 26 shots total, 13 going on frame. Corcoran recorded her third shutout of the season, recording five saves total in 90 minutes.
The Lumberjacks will host their final regular season home match this Thursday against the Montana Grizzlies. To stay up to date with NAU Soccer, follow the Jacks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
