FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 20, 2026) – The Northern Arizona soccer team will play their final home contests of 2026 this week, welcoming Montana and Portland State to Flagstaff. The Lumberjacks will kickoff against the Griz on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. MST and the Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 12 p.m. MST. Both contests will be streamed on ESPN+. Prior to kickoff Thursday, the 'Jacks will recognize seven graduating student athletes for their contributions to the soccer program.
NAU enters the contests at 7-4-3 and is currently enjoying a seven-match unbeaten streak, standing at 3-0-1 in Big Sky play. The Lumberjacks took a 2-0 win over Utah Tech on Sunday in St. George to steal second place in the league from the Trailblazers.
The 'Jacks have shined on both sides of the pitch as of late, allowing just two goals in their last seven outings, and have outscored conference opponents 7-1. Several players have stepped up over the last month, with
Valerie Llamas being the most recent Lumberjack to break into the scoring column this season. Llamas recorded scores in both games last week, converting a penalty kick to equalize the match against Southern Utah 1-1, before logging her first career brace against the Trailblazers. The three-goal week earned her Honorable Mention on TopDrawerSoccer's National Team of the Week, as well as Big Sky Co-Offensive Player of the Week, announced this morning.
Micala Boex continues to lead the attack with six goals and two assists on the season. She ranks first in the conference in shots per game (5.14), shots on goal per game (2.29), and is third in points per game (one).
Lexi Saveski has started 13 of 14 games in goal for NAU and owns a conference-best and 11th in the nation save percentage of 0.882 and a GAA of 0.64 to rank first in the conference.
Montana, the defending conference champion, sits at 3-9 and 1-3 in conference games. The Griz most recently suffered a 3-0 defeat to Weber State at home on Sunday. Megan Wilson and Eli Lewis have both notched a pair of goals to lead the attack, while Liv Thorne-Thomsen owns the lone assist on the season. Avery Heeb has started in all but one match and holds a 2.04 GAA and 0.681 save percentage. NAU trails the all-time series with Montana, 9-19-5, but has won three of the last five meetings.
Portland State brings a 3-10 record into the week, including a 1-3 mark in league contests. The Vikings picked up their first conference win last week, upsetting Weber State 2-1 at home before falling 1-0 to Idaho State on Sunday. Aliayha Saldana has tallied a trio of goals to lead the attack, while Grace Sarabia owns two assists. Finley Crabtree has started all 13 matches in goal and has made 62 saves for a 0.729 save percentage and 1.82 GAA. The 'Jacks will look to avenge a 1-0 loss last season on the road and lead the all-time series 16-10-6.
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