FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (August 12, 2023) – The Lumberjacks paved their way to a 1-0 victory against the Embry-Riddle Eagles in the season's first exhibition match at Lumberjack Stadium.
Looking to get some playing time in and play around with lineup and formations ahead of the regular season start next week, some new faces stepped in and quickly showed off their skillsets while returners made their presence known throughout the match as well.
"Our goal today was to get as many players in as possible and to rest our key players. We did that, we got 26 players in and saw a lot of good things from a lot of different players," head coach
Alan Berrios said. "I think it's the deepest team we've ever had."
Some nerves had to shake out for the Jacks in a bit of a slower start, as the Eagles held solid possession throughout the first ten minutes of the match, forcing NAU goalkeeper
Trinity Corcoran to make two saves within the first five minutes of the game.
"I thought we came out sluggish, they possessed really well, and we were just sitting back and kind of waiting, and that wasn't the plan," Berrios said. "Again, not a perfect game but I think those are the things we have to adjust to.'
As the Jacks settled in, some scoring opportunities were set up as
Josie Novak took her first shot just out to the right of the goal.
Dai Williams created a chance for NAU as she took a shot from the right corner, blocked by an Embry-Riddle defender for the first corner kick of the game.
Opening up scoring,
Haylee Phoenix found the back of the net as she was surrounded by three defenders, off a pass from
Allison Veloz just inside the box, for the lone goal of the match.
In the 78
th minute, Novak, NAU's leading returning scorer, almost put the Lumberjacks up 2-0 with an impressive shot to the right corner as ERAU's keeper Annabelle Ruckle was forced to make the diving save. Phoenix led NAU with three shots on goal, as
Grace Quinn,
Avery Ott,
Kayla Shebar, Novak, and Veloz each had one on goal apiece.
Corcoran made three saves in the first half, playing 45 minutes total before
Natalie Manzo made the second half start, as the pair combined for a shared shoutout. Manzo made one save in the second half of the match.
The Lumberjacks held onto control in the second half as
Joey Lujan led the team in minutes in her first match with the Lumberjacks, recording 69 total.
The Lumberjacks will open up regular season play on the road at UTEP next Thursday, Aug. 17 at 5 p.m. MST.
