FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (September 13, 2026) – An 86th minute goal from Elliotte Kortus was the difference maker as the Northern Arizona soccer team got past Grambling State, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at Lumberjack Stadium.

NAU improves to 3-4-1 while GSU moves to 1-6-1.

The goal is the first of Kortus' career, as she is the second NAU transfer this season to net her first score as a Lumberjack. The native of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho led the offense with four shots, putting three on target. Micala Boex, Valerie Llamas, and Kristen Puels followed closely behind with two shots apiece. The 'Jacks outshot the Tigers 15-9 and were edged just slightly in corner kicks, 5-4.

Emery Copeland made her first career start in goal and played 70 minutes, making three saves. Reece Reichwald saw her first action of the season, finishing the last 20 minutes between the post and made two saves to complete the combined shutout.

NAU controlled most of the pace in the first half, asking five of the first six questions in the match. The Tigers were surgical early in their shot selection, putting their first two shots on target.

Erin O'Connor made her season debut, as she entered the pitch in the 30th minute and played the final 15 minutes of the first half. She recorded one shot in the 39th minute as the contest remained scoreless after the first frame.

The second period opened with neither team managing to find any offensive flow. A rip from Llamas sailed just over the crossbar in the 53rd minute right before Copeland made a save on the other end. The freshman then made perhaps the defensive play of the match in the 62nd minute, turning a GSU breakaway in a turnover and goal kick for the hosts.

Boex then took NAU's next closest opportunity for a score, as she ripped a point-blank shot in the 71st minute that was met by the GSU keeper.

Entering the final ten minutes of action, Reichwald made another key defensive play with a save in the 82nd minute.

The goal sequence began with a cross from Ava Hinske into the box. Although it was initially received by a Tiger defender, the high deflection found its way to Kortus, who then snuck it past the backline and keeper to break the scoreless tie in the 86th minute.

GSU was able to draw a corner kick in the 88th minute for one last chance but was unable to put a shot on goal as NAU ran out the clock for the win.

The Lumberjacks make the short trip to Phoenix to play Grand Canyon on Thursday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. MST and can be streamed on Mountain West+.