FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 10, 2024) – Northern Arizona soccer (2-5-4, 2-1-0) posted its second-straight Big Sky Conference victory, edging Eastern Washington (6-5-3, 1-1-2) 1-0 in what also tabbed
Trinity Corcoran's third shutout performance of the season. Thursday night's victory has bumped the Lumberjacks into fifth place in league standings.
"It was a gritty win, we have a bunch of players that are really being aggressive in front of the goal now, so we talked about all we need is one," head coach
Alan Berrios said. "I'm proud of them and I'm happy for them, their smiles are back, and the win does that.
An action-packed 90 minutes of play was in store for the Lumberjack Stadium crowd on Thursday night, as both teams would kick things off early with corner kick opportunities coming in the first four minutes.
Micala Boex, getting the nod for her third start this year, took the right-sided kick sending it straight on goal to test EWU keeper Kamryn Willoughby for the first time of the match.
Northern Arizona's offense took a hot start, earning a second corner kick in the 13
th minute, this time Boex able to connect with
Haylee Phoenix who got the header to put the Jacks up 1-0 early on. Phoenix has now scored three goals in the last two matches, including both game winners to lead the team with six points.
As Eastern Washington looked to counter, Corcoran would find some early tests herself as the Eagles were awarded a penalty kick in the 24
th minute of play. Kendall Moore stepped in for EWU on the kick, unable to convert as Corcoran made a diving stop to keep the game scoreless. Prior to tonight's match, Eastern Washington had taken four penalty kicks on the season, converting on all.
EWU keeper, Willoughby, and Corcoran both entered halftime with four saves on the night as the Lumberjacks led with a 1-0 advantage. Tonight's match marked the first of the season that Eastern Washington trailed at the break.
The second half would take a slower-paced start, with Eastern Washington picking up play around the 60
th minute as Moore looked to convert on a free kick just outside of the Northern Arizona box, setting Corcoran up for her fifth stop of the night. Corcoran would finish the night with eight saves, shutting Eastern Washington out for the first time in the 2024 campaign.
NAU will next host Idaho (8-4-2, 2-1-1) in Lumberjack Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. MST. The Vandals are looking for their first win since Sept. 29, after grabbing a 2-2 draw on the road at Eastern Washington and dropping 2-1 to Montana Thursday night. Idaho is sitting in second in the Big Sky Soccer standings, while also sitting in second in shots (95), points (68), and goals (24).
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