Soccer Notes - Nov. 11

11/11/2014 1:29:27 PM

Alyssa Askew - Big Sky Conference

The NCAA selection committee announced Monday afternoon that Northern Arizona (12-5-4) will travel to Tempe, Ariz., to take on Arizona State (11-5-4).  The match is set for Saturday, Nov. 15 with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Mountain.
 
Tickets for the first-round match can be purchased through the Arizona State ticket office. Ticket prices will be $8 for adults, $5 for juniors (high school age and under) and seniors (ages 60 and over), and $4 for groups of 15 or more. Due to time constraints, all orders must be picked up at will call.  For more information, contact the Sun Devil ticket office at 480-727-0000
    MISSOULA, Mont. – For the first time since 2009, Northern Arizona University’s women’s soccer team has won the Big Sky Championship.
 
The No. 3 seeded Lumberjacks were the first on the board with a goal in the 24th minute.  NAU’s Haley Wingender played a through ball to Emily Wadell.  Wadell recovered the ball from an ISU defender, took a few touches and shot it into the upper-90 on the right side of the goal.
 
The Lumberjacks took a 2-0 lead after Cierra Gamble played a long through ball to Wingender in the 69th minute.  Wingender beat the defense to the ball and had a one-vs-one with the goalie. Wingender shot the ball through the diving keepers legs and into the back of the net.
 
The No. 5 seed Idaho State answered back just 18 seconds later after ISU’s Maria Sanchez’ shot was blocked by the NAU keeper, Lauren Bermudez was there to regain control of the ball in a scramble.  Bermudez placed her shot into the far right side of the goal, cutting NAU’s lead to 2-1.
 
This is Northern Arizona’s third championship, but first since 2009.  NAU’s head coach Andre Luciano has led his team to all three of its Big Sky Championships.  The Lumberjacks were selected third in the preseason poll.
 
Idaho State finished the 2014 season with a 10-9-1 overall record.