FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 10, 2023) – Extending the win streak to two matches, the Lumberjacks earned a dominating 2-0 victory at home on Sunday against the San Diego Toreros.
"We were waiting for this team to start finding some rhythm and the last couple of games have shown that," head coach
Alan Berrios said. "We've got a great defensive group and kudos to them, they're finally starting to show the defensive group they can be."
The Lumberjacks found a strong start to the match with
Allison Veloz putting a quick shot up, blocked by a UCSD defender.
Maddie Shafer picked up the deflection, sending a shot just wide left. Just minutes later,
Dai Williams intercepted a pass from San Diego's keeper to the centerback and found Veloz inside the box who scored her second goal of the season to put the Jacks up 1-0.
In the first twenty minutes of the match, the Lumberjacks controlled possession while putting five shots up compared to San Diego's one from Brianna Pearson whose shot was sent out left of NAU's goal. In goal for NAU,
Natalie Manzo made her first start of the season, Manzo recorded her first save of the game with 25 minutes left to play in the first half as Ashley Wright sent one up the middle of the box.
NAU finished the first half with six shots while holding the Toreros to two shots, one on goal.
Looking to come out and quickly find the equalizer, the Jacks keeper
Natalie Manzo recorded her second save of the game as Olivia Stone went head-to-head with Manzo as the Junior keeper made the jumping save off a tipped shot from Stone.
NAU countered down the field as
Joey Lujan put a boot inside the crowded UCSD box, where
Josie Novak came up with the first contact, sending a header just high of the crossbar. Keeping possession, the Lumberjacks set up another opportunity as Veloz looked for her second of the game. Veloz's shot took a deflection off a Torero defender for the first corner kick of the match. Senior
Maddie Shafer took the kick on the right side, sending a pass into the box as San Diego was able to defend and clear the ball out with a goal kick.
With 26 minutes remaining, Williams put another steaming shot on goal with her right foot from the 18-foot line, looking to hit the top corner of the goal, and just missing out right.
Morgan Caslin followed through to keep the Jacks possession, putting a shot up through some traffic and missing out left.
The Toreros countered down the right side of the field as Brianna Pearson put her second shot on goal of the match, as Manzo was able to push the ball out for her third save of the day. Down the field, the Jacks were awarded a corner kick as
Maddie Shafer took the kick from the right side,
Joey Lujan waited back at the left crossbar, quickly connecting with a header to put the Jacks up 2-0 with 20 minutes remaining. The goal marks Lujan's first career goal with NAU.
NAU held on to the 2-0 lead for Manzo's first solo shutout of the year as she recorded four saves in her 90 minutes in the box. NAU outshot UCSD 16-6 with each team putting four on goal.
The Lumberjacks will return to Lumberjack Stadium next Sunday, Sept. 17 to host the LMU Lions in what will mark the Jacks last non-conference match of the season. To stay up to date with NAU Soccer, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
