FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 1, 2023) – Northern Arizona picked up their first Big Sky tournament victory of the week against the Sacramento State Hornets with a 3-0 shutout at Lumberjack Stadium.
"It was a tale of two halves, kudos to Sacramento State for playing such a great first half and keeping us on our heels, we made some adjustments in the second half that worked tremendously and the win was a good win for us," head coach
Alan Berrios said.
NAU's
Olivia Bos was charged with a yellow card just seven minutes into the match, giving Sacramento State the free kick from roughly ten yards out of the box. Cassandra Herrman stepped up for the free kick, sending it on goal as
Jaylin Borden got a head on it, clearing NAU's box. Lizzie Ledesma picked up the deflection sending a quick shot on goal from the left of the box and
Trinity Corcoran was able to earn her first save of the match.
Moments later the Jacks forced Izzy Palmatier to make her first save of the match as the Jacks looked to capitalize on a short throw-in in Hornet territory.
Avery Ott picked up a deflection of
Allie Larsen's initial pass inside the box, sending the ball to
Maddie Shafer who put a shot on the left side of the goal from the left foot.
Just over fifteen minutes in, Sacramento State tested the Jacks with back-to-back corner kicks as
Olivia Bos made a diving block to keep Teysha-Rey Spinney-Kuahuia's shot off goal. Herrman made a run after the corner kick in, sending a quick shot on goal as Corcoran earned the save while the deflection went out of bounds behind the goal. The Jacks were able to quickly clear out the second kick.
NAU's
Josie Novak saw one of the Jacks best opportunities of the first half with seven minutes remaining as the senior forward made a run up the right of the field and put a tough shot on the left side of the goal as Palmatier was able to get a hand on it to keep it out.
Both teams sent seven shots up through the first forty-five while Corcoran made four stops and Palmatier made three as the match remained scoreless at the break. Notably, the Hornets only used one substitute in the first half of play while the Jacks utilized five bench players.
The Lumberjacks were able to pick up their first goal of the match ten minutes into the second half as
Josie Novak was fouled inside the box and scored her penalty kick in the bottom left corner of the net, putting the Jacks up 1-0.
With just over 25 minutes left in the second half
Dai Williams picked up a pass from
Joey Lujan on the right side, quickly connecting with
Allie Larsen who sent the ball into the middle of box as
Holly Hunter found her first goal of the tournament to put NAU up 2-0. Hunter wasn't done yet as
Josie Novak connected with Hunter going right to left inside the box for Hunter's second of the match in the 84
th minute of the match.
The Jacks dominated the box score in the second half with 11 shots in comparison to the Hornets five.
Trinity Corcoran finished the match with a 3-0 shutout victory after recording seven saves through 90 minutes in goal.
The Lumberjacks will now take on Montana in the semifinals on Friday night at 6 p.m. MST at Lumberjack Stadium.
