Northern Arizona University Athletics issued the following annoucement on Aug. 19.
The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks are heading to Utah State and Utah Valley for a pair of games to kick off the Fall 2021 season this weekend. Saturday's match at Utah State will begin at 2 p.m. MST at the Chuck and Gloria Bell Soccer Field in Logan, Utah. Monday's match against Utah Valley is set to start at 6:30 p.m. MST at Clyde Field in Orem, Utah.
Utah State will play their home opener against NAU after their season starts tonight against Idaho State in Pocatello. The Aggies held a 5-4-1 spring season record after playing a conference only schedule, and coming off a three-game win streak to end the season.
Returning both of the team's leading goal scorers, Marli Niederhauser (3) and Ashley Cardozo (3), the Aggies look to capitalize on success through their senior forward and midfielder. Junior Diera Walton returns in goal for Utah State with a previous season save count of 49, as well as standing as the team's starting goalkeeper for 28 consecutive starts.
Utah Valley began its season with a win against Southern Utah on Aug. 14. The Wolverines scored two goals and held the Thunderbirds to one, with Brooklyn Nielsen in goal recording three saves. Breanna Eves scored an early goal in the first four minutes of the match, assisted by Sadie Brockbank. Julianna Carter went on to score in the second half, assisted by Heather Stainbrook and Grace Beeston.
The Wolverines head into the fall season with their first ever WAC Championship and NCAA Tournament win as the team beat Memphis in the first round. The Lumberjacks have met the Wolverines five times previously, holding the lead on the series with a record of 3-1-1. The WAC Defensive Player of the Year, Jenna Shepherd, returns to the program after leading the team to their NCAA tournament win in a shutout.
Northern Arizona heads into the fall as the Big Sky favorite, picked to win the conference in the 2021 Coaches' Poll. The team is coming off an impressive season with a 7-2-1 record, paving their way into the Big Sky Championship game. The Lumberjack's will return 13 letterwinners and eight starters to the team, while welcoming 13 newcomers, including two transfers and 11 freshmen.
The Lumberjacks look to continue off of last season's momentum and capitalize on the strength of the team's culture and drive.
Original source can be found here.
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