FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (August 14, 2025) – The Northern Arizona soccer team repeatedly pressured Embry-Riddle until the Lumberjacks broke through for three second half goals to notch a 3-1 season-opening victory Thursday evening.
Micala Boex, a preseason all-conference selection, led the Lumberjacks recording a goal and an assist and true freshmen
Kaylee Muniz and
Lily Nesland scored goals in the victory.
"It was a different game in the second half," said head coach
Alan Berrios. "We were in complete control and it was a good response after a poor first half."
The Lumberjacks notched 34 shots, their most in a match since Sept. 17, 2021 versus Arizona Christian. Twenty of NAU's 34 shots came after the intermission, as the 'Jacks battled back from a 1-0 halftime deficit.
Embry-Riddle, the defending Great Southwest Athletic Conference champion, struck first in the 30th minute with Jamie Brandon putting in the night's initial goal. The goal gave the Eagles a 1-0 halftime advantage despite NAU holding a commanding 14-4 first half shot advantage.
It did not take long for the Lumberjacks to find the equalizer after the break as Muniz scored NAU's first goal of the season. Off a corner kick,
Madisyn Marchesi's header went off the crossbar before Muniz headed in the ricochet in the 50th minute.
Boex followed in the 61st minute with the eventual game-winning goal off a penalty kick after she drew a foul in the box. The Lumberjacks capped the scoring with a goal from Nesland, who converted off a pass from Boex into the lower right corner.
Muniz and Nesland both came off the bench and ignited the Lumberjacks, combining for eight shots with five on target in their collegiate debuts. Muniz led all players with six shots and was one of three Lumberjacks along with Boex and
Kristen Puels who notched at least four total shots.
"Our freshmen are really good and after what we saw tonight, they're going to be in the starting lineup," Berrios said. "
Lily Nesland and
Kaylee Muniz were two of the best players on the field. Their play makes us deeper."
NAU contained a potent Embry-Riddle offensive attack that accounted for 62 goals last fall, limiting the Eagles to only five total shots. The Lumberjacks also recorded 13 corner kicks to the Eagles' one.
Reece Reichwald earned the start in goal in her first collegiate game before
Lexi Saveski entered in reserve for the final 50 minutes.
The Lumberjacks host Nevada at 1 p.m. on Sunday in Lumberjack Stadium to conclude the first weekend of the season. Nevada fell to NAU, 2-0, Thursday night in Tempe in its season opener.
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