FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 16, 2024) – Ringing in the 100
th-annual Homecoming celebration at Northern Arizona, the Lumberjacks (2-6-4) will gear up to host their final two home games of the season, taking on the Portland State Vikings (3-6-4) on Friday at 6 p.m. MST, followed by a Senior Day Sunday matchup with the Sacramento State Hornets (4-6-4) at 1 p.m. MST.
The Lumberjacks are looking to bounce back in the win column after falling 3-2 to Idaho last Sunday in Flagstaff. Prior to Sunday's loss, NAU held Eastern Washington scoreless for the Jacks second Big Sky Conference victory with a 1-0 final. In the last three matches, Northern Arizona has scored six goals, three coming from
Haylee Phoenix, earning her first Big Sky Player of the Week honors.
Erin O'Connor tabbed her first goal of the 2024 campaign to open scoring against the Vandals, picking up a ball in the box from
Deniah Wells to record her first goal since playing Oregon last season.
Micala Boex took a free kick inside the box against Idaho to grab her first career goal with the Lumberjacks.
Trinity Corcoran has led NAU in goal this season with a total of 990 minutes, 66 saves, and a save percentage of .825. Starting in 11 out of 12 matches, Corcoran's saves per game ranks second amongst conference opponents while the senior has totaled three shutouts.
Currently sitting in fifth place in league standings, NAU will have the opportunity to move up this weekend while taking on the current No. 4 PSU Vikings and No. 3 Hornets. The last time NAU hosted Portland State in Flagstaff, the Jacks clinched the 2022 Big Sky regular season championship outright with a 3-0 victory. NAU last hosted Sacramento State in Flagstaff to open the 2023 Big Sky Soccer Tournament, where the Jacks found a 3-0 victory in Lumberjack Stadium to advance to semifinals.
Portland State is entering the week coming off their first league win last Thursday against Northern Colorado. The Vikings are led by Elle Frazier and Abi Hoffman who both hold eight points, with Frazier tabbing four goals and Hoffman recording three goals alongside two assists. PSU has a total of ten goals this season with a .445 shots on goal percentage, averaging 14.7 shots per match.
In goal for the Vikings, Eden Millan has started the last five matches, making 53 stops on the season for a save percentage of .841. Millan has picked up three shutout performances so far in the 2024 campaign. Millan earned her first-ever Big Sky Player of the Week honors this week after recording the shutout victory over Northern Colorado. Millan has held opponents scoreless for 267 consecutive minutes in her last three outings.
Sacramento State's two-game win streak was snapped last week after a 1-1 draw with Northern Colorado on Sunday. The Hornets will host the Montana Griz on Friday afternoon before heading up to Flagstaff for Sunday's matchup in Lumberjack Stadium. Sacramento State is led by senior Abigail Lopez who has four goals and three assists for 11 points on the year, closely trailed by Elle Farber with three goals and one assist. The Hornets have 15 goals on the season, shooting a .365 shots on goal percentage while averaging 10.6 shots per game.
Veteran goalkeeper Izzy Palmatier has totaled all but five minutes this season, making 64 stops on 209 shots faced for a .762 save percentage. Palmatier has recorded three shutout performances alongside four wins for the Hornets.
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