Sept. 26, 2010

Box Score

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - LMU saw its three-match winning and shutout streak come to a halt on Sunday as Northern Arizona scored twice in the first half for a 2-0 victory at Lumberjack Stadium in Flagstaff, Ariz. The Lions (7-3-0) were held to just six shots in suffering their first-ever defeat to the Lumberjacks (4-3-2).

LMU was up against a juggernaut in goalkeeper Tori Rocke, who recorded her third straight shutout to tie the NAU record with her 13th career solo shutout. Rocke made three saves and the Lions could muster six shots, their second-lowest offensive output of the season.

The Lion defense, which entered the game equally as strong, saw its shutout streak ended at 410 minutes when Brenna Boies capped a furiously offensive opening 22 minutes for NAU. The hosts had eight quick shots, including one from Jenna Samora that brought a superb diving save by LMU freshman goalkeeper Brittany Jagger in the 17th minute.

In the 22nd minute, Kristi Andreassen was awarded a free kick roughly 40 yards from the LMU goal and sent a bouncing shot on target. Jagger made the initial stop but Boies was first to react to knock in the rebound and give the Lumberjacks a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal LMU had allowed since losing 1:11 into a 1-0 defeat to then #3 Notre Dame on Sept. 12.

Rocke would make her best save of the day on a diving stop in the 25th minute on a shot from freshman Tawni Martino. The Lumberjacks would continue to apply pressure on both sides of the field and found a second goal in the 38th minute. Brandy Carr sent a pass from the left of the LMU box to oncoming Corie McGuire, who beat a lunging Jagger into the top-right corner.

The Lumberjack defense allowed only two LMU shots in the second half and Rocke had to make just one second half save to maintain the clean sheet and a 2-0 victory. The Lions could not take advantage of an 8-4 edge in corner kicks in dropping their first game to the Lumberjacks in three all-time meetings.

The Lumberjacks held a 12-4 shot advantage in the first half and had a 15-6 edge in shots for the game. Jagger, who entered the game with a 0.56 goals against average, made four saves while allowing two goals for the first time since the season opener at #14 Cal on Aug. 20.

The Lions return home for their final non-conference game, hosting Cal State Fullerton on Friday at 4 p.m.