PORTLAND, Ore. (September 24, 2023) – The Lumberjacks (5-3-3, 0-1-1) earned the first draw of Big Sky play with a 0-0 match at Portland State (4-5-1, 1-0-1) Sunday afternoon.
Josie Novak, making just her second start in 12 games, kicked the game off offensively, making a run up the right side, connecting with
Allie Larsen who forced a NAU throw-in on the Jacks first opportunity of the day. The Vikings quickly cleared and moved down the field on the counterattack, while
Grace Quinn made a fast slide tackle inside the box to clear the other way.
About thirteen minutes into the match, PSU made a convincing drive as Liv Frazier sent a bicycle kick up the field to Raniyah Burton who connected with Abi Hoffman through the midfield, Hoffman sent a shot up missing just left of the crossbar. Following with back-to-back shots on goal, NAU's
Trinity Corcoran began the match with two saves in the first 17 minutes of play.
With just over fifteen minutes remaining in the first half, Larsen looked to find a score for the Jacks as she sent a long boot into the box and
Dai Williams made the run in just moments after checking in to the match. Williams looked for the header, as PSU's keeper Natalie Cunningham got her hands on the ball first to clear the box.
Creating NAU's last offensive opportunity of the first half,
Katie Willoughby picked up a PSU defelction and quickly took her shot, hitting the right crossbar while just missing the goal line.
Through the first half, Portland State led the Jacks in shots with 6 (2) to NAU's 3 (0). The Jacks brought in six substitutions while the Vikings checked in three players.
Both teams entered the second half with quick shots as each put a shot up within in the first two minutes of play. Cunningham was quickly forced to make her first save of the game as
Allison Veloz sent shot on goal from about twelve feet out. The PSU keeper made the diving stop on the left side of the goal line.
Midway through the second half, the Jacks started finding momentum offensively, putting four shots up in less than two minutes as Larsen sent her second on goal of the game forcing Cunningham to pick up another diving save. As PSU committed the 10
th foul of the match, the Jacks looked to capitalize as
Maddie Shafer sent the free kick in from just right of the box before PSU's back line was able to clear out the Jacks fourth shot on goal.
With a minute and a half remaining,
Josie Novak went head-to-head with goalkeeper Cunningham, sending a shot past the Viking keeper missing just left of the crossbar. Both defenses stood strong through the final moments of the match as the final shot count edged in NAU's favor, 11 (4) and PSU's 9 (3).
The Lumberjacks will now begin a four-game home stretch in Flagstaff as NAU is set to host Weber State and Idaho State this weekend. To stay up to date with NAU Soccer, follow the Jacks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
