SACRAMENTO, Calif. (September 22, 2023) – Northern Arizona (5-3-2) fell to the Sacramento State Hornets in the Big Sky opener, 1-0.
Kayla Shebar started the offensive action for the Jacks, finding a run up the left side and taking a shot from about 15 feet outside of the goal, which was blocked by a Sacramento defender. The Hornets found their first chance of the game just a few minutes later as Lexi Schroeder put up a shot that got tipped by a NAU defender, giving Sacramento their first corner kick opportunity. The Jacks quickly were able to clear the corner kick and regain possession.
About three minutes later the Jacks took their first corner kick of the match, as
Avery Ott sent the cross into the box and Sacramento's keeper Mia Shalit quickly got her hands on the ball to record her first save of the match.
With twenty minutes remaining in the first half, the Jacks were awarded a free kick just five feet outside of Sacramento's box.
Maddie Shafer stepped up to take the kick as the Hornets created a four-defender wall up front. Shafer's shot went over the wall of defenders, as Shalit made the diving save.
On the couter-attack, the Hornets found their own free kick just about ten feet outside the box, as Cassandra Herrman took the shot, missing just high of the top crossbar. One of NAU's best chance came in the final seven minutes of the first half as
Dai Williams was able to put a shot on, as the ball bounced
Allie Larsen took her chance, hitting the crossbar.
The Jacks led offensively after the first 45, putting three shots on goal while holding the Hornets to none.
Sacramento State capitalized on their biggest opportunity of the match as the Hornets sent a free kick inside the box and were quickly awarded a penalty kick. Abigail Lopez took the shot, scoring in the bottom right corner.
With just under 25 minutes left in the match, NAU's back line showed off their defensive skill, blocking four Sacramento shots back-to-back before clearing the ball back out to midfield.
75 minutes in, the Jacks were awarded a free kick from ten feet out of the box, as Shafer sent the cross inside the box looking to connect with
Josie Novak. Novak got a head on the ball hitting the crossbar before Shalit was able to sweep up the deflection just before it crossed the goal line.
In the final ten minutes, the Lumberjacks were awarded four corner kicks alongside eight throw-ins. Sac State was able to hold the NAU offense off, securing the Hornets 1-0 victory.
The Jacks will head to Portland State this Sunday to take on the Vikings in a 12 p.m. MST kickoff. To stay up to date with NAU Soccer, follow the Jacks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
