FARMINGTON, Utah (September 15, 2026) – Northern Arizona soccer goalkeeper
Emery Copeland has been named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday morning. It is the second straight week a Lumberjack has garnered the award.
Copeland made her first career start on Sunday against Grambling State, playing a total of 70 minutes. The freshman recorded three saves for a career high while combining with fellow goalie
Reece Reichwald for the combined shutout, NAU's fourth on the year. The Lumberjacks came away with a 1-0 victory thanks to an 86th minute goal from
Elliotte Kortus.
Although it didn't show up in the stat sheet, the native of San Diego, Calif. also shut down what may have been GSU's best opportunity for a goal in the 62nd minute. She came off her line to throw off the attacker next to the rest of the backline, turning a breakaway into a turnover to preserve the scoreless tie.
Through eight matches, NAU is third in GAA (0.88), and is holding opponents to the third-fewest shots per game in the Big Sky (11.5).
The Lumberjacks play their final two non-conference games this week, starting with another in-state matchup against Grand Canyon in Phoenix on Thursday and finishing in Las Cruces with New Mexico State on Sunday.
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