PHOENIX, Ariz. (September 12, 2024) – Northern Arizona soccer (0-4-2) suffered a 1-0 loss on the road at Grand Canyon University (5-2-1) Thursday night, following an 81
st-minute goal from the Lopes.
Both teams struggled to maintain possession in the attacking third of the field to start the match, with a physical start to play keeping the pace moving. Just under four minutes into play,
Micala Boex was fouled just outside the left of the box, giving the Lumberjacks their first free kick opportunity of the night. Boex took the kick herself, sending a low shot on goal as Grand Canyon's keeper, Deaira Jackson, grabbed the first save of the night.
Back-to-back corner kick chances for the Jacks came in the 20
th and 21
st minutes as NAU was unable to convert on either, before GCU took their second corner opportunity of the match just moments later up the field. Destinee Duran-Wise recorded the shot on goal, sending the boot straight to Lumberjack goalkeeper
Trinity Corcoran for the save.
GCU recorded 14 first-half shots, sending seven on goal. The lumberjacks were held to two shots in the through the opening 45 minutes of play.
The 82
nd-minute Grand Canyon goal would come off a deflection as Payton Fisher flicked a pass to Breanna Alderson who found the bottom corner to take the 1-0 lead. NAU took one second-half shot, while the Lopes continued the offensive push, sending 12 second-half shots up, four on goal.
Trinity Corcoran matched her career high in single-match saves, making 11 stops on Lope opportunities.
NAU soccer will return to action next Thursday, Sept. 19 in Lumberjack Stadium as the NAU's alternate identity of 'Astrojacks' will make its debut. The Jacks will host the New Mexico Lobos for a 7 p.m. matchup. To stay up to date with Lumberjack soccer, follow the Jacks on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
