FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Fifth-seeded Sacramento State and fourth-seeded Northern Arizona went toe-to-toe en route to a scoreless tie after the first 45 minutes, but the host Lumberjacks broke through with three second-half goals to eliminate the Hornets from the Big Sky Conference Tournament by a 3-0 score on Wednesday night at Lumberjack Field in Flagstaff, Ariz.
The Hornets finished their season with a 4-9-5 overall record and a 2-3-3 mark in league play while making their fourth-straight tournament appearance and 14th overall.
NAU improved to 10-5-3 overall and advanced to take on top-seeded Montana on Friday (Nov. 3) at 6 p.m.
Both teams finished with seven shots apiece in the opening half with the Hornets putting four of their attempts on frame. Sacramento State's best chance came in the 20th minute when senior Sammy Wong made a run down the right side and crossed it to the back post to a waiting Abigail Lopez, whose shot was cleared away by a Lumberjack defender to keep the match scoreless.
At the other end, freshman goalkeeper
Izzy Palmatier also stood tall, collecting four of her seven saves on the night in the first period, including a leaping save to push an attempt over the bar with less than eight minutes to play.
With the period flipping to the second half, Northern Arizona's adjustments paid off in the 56th minute as Sacramento State was whistled for a foul in the box and Josie Novak converted the penalty for the 1-0 lead. Holly Hunter then put the match out of reach, scoring her first two goals of the season in the 65th and 85th minutes to cap the scoring.
The Lumberjacks finished the night with an 18-12 advantage in shots, including a 10-7 lead in shots on goal, while successfully defending six corners from the Hornets. Freshman
Teysha-Ray Spinney-Kuahuia shared match honors with four shots, while freshman
Lizzie Ledesma and sophomore
Madelyn Dougherty also added a pair of shots each.
