FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 18, 2024) – A week off competition for the Lumberjacks will come to a halt on Thursday as NAU (0-4-2) returns to Flagstaff for a pair of matchups in Lumberjack Stadium this week, hosting New Mexico (4-1-1) on Thursday night, and Southern Utah (1-5-2) on Sunday afternoon.
Thursday night's match is set to start at 7 p.m. MST, live stats can be found
here and the match can be streamed on
ESPN+. Sunday's match will begin at 1 p.m. MST, live stats can be found
here and the match can be streamed on
ESPN+.
Thursday night's match will kick off NAU Athletics' new alternate identity campaign, the Astrojacks. Fans can expect unique fan experiences and entertainment provided of space-themed music, to participate in the first-ever "Crowd Constellation" smartphone light show, fun contests, and specialty additional fan giveaways to keep the interstellar fun going all night long. The first 150 students will receive an Astrojacks hat, and the first 150 fans will receive the Astrojacks soccer landing patch. Astrojacks posters, stickers, and photos with Blouie the Space Ox will all be available to fans as well.
NAU's return to action follows a three-match losing streak, as the Jacks look to snap it with a win against the Lobos on Thursday night. NAU is eyeing its first victory of the season, with two matches left on slate ahead of Big Sky play. NAU currently sits with a .386 shots on goal percentage, while putting up 57 total on the season. The Jacks are holding opponents to a .122 shots percentage through the first six matches of the year.
Trinity Corcoran is coming up a 10-save night at Grand Canyon, matching her career high and marking a new season high. Corcoran has grabbed 36 saves this season, and leads the Big Sky Conference in save percentage, sitting at .818.
For New Mexico, Presley Devey has scored the game-winning goal in three matches (UCR, Oregon, San Diego) and Ellie Robinson in one (vs. UTEP). Natalie DeGagne has recorded an assist in three of the last five matches and has a point in four matches this season with a goal in the season opener. In three of UNM's wins, the Lobos have scored first in the match and have held a lead at the break. Only in the UTEP match did the Lobos have to come from behind.
Southern Utah will head to Flagstaff for the first time since the 2021 season, as well as the first time since joining the WAC after departing the Big Sky. In last season's Cedar City matchup between the two programs. The Thunderbirds are coming off a 0-0 draw with Big Sky opponent Idaho State, while dropping to Boise State on the trip in 3-0 fashion. Whitney Gardner did not play for the Thunderbirds at Boise State, but still leads the team with two goals and three assists.
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