FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The Northern Arizona women's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against Portland State as it opened its Big Sky regular season schedule on Friday night.
Portland State is the defending regular-season league champs.
"We knew going into this game that they were going to be hard to break down," said head coach Andre Luciano. "They have a very good goalkeeper and they play very deep. Their midfield poses problems because they love to attack and get behind you, so we needed to establish a rhythm.
The Lumberjacks (4-3-2) scored first Friday on a goal freshman Adrian Nizt off a free-kick from Haley Wingender. Wingender passed her free-kick into the box and Nizt was able to flick it in during the 12th minute.
"I saw the open space and Haley was able to play it through," Nizt said.
With the assist, Wingender has recorded a point in five straight games. This is the second goal this season NAU has scored off a free-kick.
"We have watched a lot of video trying different set pieces," said Luciano. "We have given our players the freedom to be creative, and as much as I would love to take credit for the goals, that goal was just Haley and Adrian communicating and Adrian doing her thing."
Portland State responded in the first half with a goal in the 25th minute from Tamia Hasan.
Portland State had a golden opportunity to take the lead with six minutes left off a corner kick and had a shot in the box, but NAU's Ashlynn Curnow was sitting on the right post and blocked the shot from Katie Forsee.
NAU goalie Natalie Gilbertson came up with four saves.
NAU was challenged with the task of finding ways to score against reigning first-team All-Big Sky goalkeeper Caitlin Plese, who entered the game with a 0.92 goals against average. NAU was able to get six shots off against Portland State's defense, with two of them on goal.
It was a physical match as 20 fouls were called, 15 against Portland State.
"That is a typical, physical conference match," said Luciano. "Every game we have played this year has been physical, so we knew that going in and our team didn't back down. Portland State has always been a physical team and I am proud of the way we matched up physically."
NAU will play Sunday against Sacramento State at noon at Lumberjack Stadium.
