FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – For the first time this season, UNLV was held scoreless by NAU giving the Lumberjacks their second straight tie to remain undefeated on the season. Going into the match, the Rebels had scored 12 goals in five games and goalkeeper Lauren Weaver had six saves on the night holding the Rebels scoreless for 110 minutes. 

“It took us a while to get started,” said head coach Andre Luciano. “UNLV is a very technical team and we fought extremely hard tonight. Last year we would have given up in a game like this but tonight we fought and had opportunities late in the game.”

Luciano was very pleased with his backline who held UNLV’s Jenna Wolfe to only one shot, who had four goals in just five games this season.  Even though the Rebels out shot NAU 17-8, UNLV only had six shots on goal and were very little threat to Weaver. 

“We had to play a lot of defense this game,” said defender Alana D’Onofrio. “We could not possess the ball tonight, which made them attack us more but our defense was on point and did not make many mistakes.”

Going into overtime, the Lumberjacks offensive attack picked up with fresh legs playing 19 players and NAU was able to get some shots on goal. NAU had an opportunity late in the second overtime with a header from Haley Wingender that went into the net but was called offsides.

The Lumberjacks have yet to be beaten this season with stellar defense and multiple players contributing on offense. Luciano credits his team’s start to their fitness.

“We came into the season with a mindset that we were going to get fit after last season,” said Luciano. “We played a lot of players tonight but our backline played 110 minutes and they were awesome.”   

NAU will look to stay undefeated next week as they host in-state Grand Canyon Friday night at 7 p.m. at Lumberjack Stadium.

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