FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (August 25, 2023) – The Lumberjacks fell in a tough physical matchup against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners at home on Friday, 1-0.
"I thought there was moments we looked good, but there were also moments that they looked good. Going into half 0-0 I thought the first team to score is going to win this game, and that's the way it went," head coach
Alan Berrios said.
Moving to 1-1-1, NAU was unable to convert on 25 shots, nine on goal in tonight's game. Although the Jacks were able to focus in on putting more shots on goal, CSUB's keeper Hollee Hercik made nine crucial saves for the Runners to secure the victory.
"Last year we were leading the conference in shots on goal, and we knew we weren't doing that," Berrios said. "One of our goals was to get more shots on goal but the quality of the shots wasn't there, I thought we lost composure but that was the plan."
Hailey Russell had a fast start to the match for Bakersfield, putting up five shots in the first 12 minutes of the match as she forced NAU's
Trinity Corcoran to settle in fast in her first 90 minute game with NAU this season. As the Jacks began creating counter-attack opportunities,
Molly Massman checked into the game, quickly sending a shot on goal from just outside the box which Hercik was able to scoop up for her first save of the night.
Allie Larsen saw multiple solid chances up the right side as the graduate transfer ended the match with three shots, two on goal. Larsen's first opportunity came midway through the first half off a pass from
Maddie Shafer as she was able to slide past one CSUB defender, before putting the shot in on the bottom right corner, forcing Hercik to make the diving save.
70 minutes in, the Roadrunners were able to covert on a set-piece corner kick sent in from Penny Smith. Smith floated a ball right into the box as Selena Hernandez created traffic and was able to head the ball in for the lead.
CSUB's Stevie Reynolds received a red card in the 77
th minute, forcing the Runners to play down a body for the remaining 13 minutes. The Jacks took advantage, creating a few chances while controlling possession.
Avery Ott put up a shot with a good look and some traffic in front of the box, going high just above the crossbar. Cal State Bakersfield held on for the first victory of the season.
The Lumberjacks will flip the switch quickly, hosting Arizona at Lumberjack Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. MST.
"Every game has been tough, and every game has been a battle. I think we are battle tested and that's going to help us against teams like Arizona and Oregon," Berrios said. "Those are two really good teams, we have to be more urgent against them and can't expect to come out like we did today and expect a different result."
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