CEDAR CITY, Utah (October 15, 2026) – Valerie Llamas scored a second-half equalizer in the form of a penalty kick as the Northern Arizona soccer team took a 1-1 draw with Southern Utah on a windy Thursday afternoon at the Thunderbird Soccer Field.

NAU (6-4-3, 2-0-1 Big Sky) has its three-match win streak snapped, but remains unbeaten in conference play, while Southern Utah moves to 4-7-3 and 1-2-2 in league matches. The 'Jacks still extend their overall unbeaten streak to six matches.

Micala Boex led the NAU attack with nine shots, including four on target, while Llamas took three shots in addition to recording the PK goal in the contest. The Lumberjacks outshot SUU, 17-11, and drew four corners while allowing just two from the Thunderbirds.

Lexi Saveski made the start in goal and played all 90 minutes, making four saves.

Neither team was able to establish possession for very long to start, despite the hosts forcing Saveski off her line to make a couple of early grabs, and then a save in the bottom center of the net in the 10th minute for the contest's first shot on target.

The Thunderbirds scored in the 13th minute off a transition opportunity was misplayed by the Lumberjack backline on the slippery field. NAU struggled to find quality opportunities as play continued, with its first shot on target coming from Elliotte Kortus off a corner kick in the 18th minute.

The 'Jacks got their next best look in the 35th minute, as Ainsley Capps sent a cross into the box that the Thunderbird keeper initially bobbled, but was able to hold onto before Lily Nesland could get set for a shot on goal. Erin O'Connor managed one more shot on target before the period ended, but sent it straight to the keeper as Southern Utah took the 1-0 lead into the break.

Kortus took another shot on goal in the 47th minute as NAU began the second stanza aggressively looking for the equalizer. NAU then got its shot at the tie in the 64th minute, when the penalty kick was awarded to Llamas after a collision in the box. She shot it past the keeper into the back left of the net, marking the 'Jacks first penalty conversion on the year.

With the scored tied and 25 minutes left to play, it was Southern Utah who took the next shot on target in the 70th minute. Kaitlin Surber asked the next question in the 72nd minute, and Boex followed with another shot that was met with a team save in the 77th minute, resulting in a corner kick for NAU. After the ball was initially cleared off the corner, Boex managed another shot that went just high. NAU ultimately dominated possession following the equalizer, but was unable to find the go-ahead score as time expired.

The Lumberjacks remain in Utah and will visit Utah Tech in St. George on Sunday, Oct. 18. Kickoff with the Trailblazers is set for 12 p.m. MST and will be streamed on ESPN+.

To stay up to date with Northern Arizona soccer, follow the Lumberjacks on X and Instagram.