MISSOULA, Mont. -- The Northern Arizona soccer team began its final road trip of the season with its eyes on the Big Sky Conference playoffs. And trailing by a goal against Montana late in the second half Friday, the Lumberjacks wouldn't let their postseason dream slip away.
NAU scored twice in the final minutes, getting goals from sophomore midfielders Nicole Sherwin and Cierra Gamble, to pull out a 2-1 victory over Montana to improve to 6-2-0 in conference play. With the win, their 10th of the season overall, the Lumberjacks secured a spot in the Big Sky playoffs.
"This may be the grittiest team I have ever coached," said NAU coach Andre Luciano. "They display great resolve and the heart of a lion so I am extremely proud of my team.
"At the beginning of the season, we had four goals that we wanted to achieve," said Luciano. "We wanted to have a winning nonconference record, we wanted to double our wins, we wanted to qualify for the Big Sky Conference tournament and then we wanted to represent the Big Sky in the NCAA tournament. We have achieved three of our four goals, and now the fourth goal is in our sights."
The Lumberjacks achieved two of its four goals today doubling their win total last year with an overall 10-4-3 record and qualifying for the Big Sky playoffs. Montana was first to get on the scoreboard as Courtney Watson scored in the 56thminute to give the Griz the 1-0 lead. As always this season, Luciano's team refused to quit and Sherwin was able to tie the game in the 72ndminute with a goal from 12-yards out.
"I just love being a part of this team," said Sherwin. "Everything we do is for the team, and there is no selfishness. I am glad I was able to score, but more importantly, I'm glad I was able to score for my teammates."
Sherwin's goal kick-started NAU's offense and in less than ten minutes after tying the match, Gamble received a pass from junior midfielderSavannah Berry and was able to score from 10 yards out.
Senior goalkeeper Lauren Weaver recorded four saves, moving into second place in NAU history with 295 career saves. The six seniors on the squad will appear in the Big Sky Conference playoffs for the first time since they were freshmen in 2010.
"It means the world to me to be back in the playoffs," said senior captain Alana D'Onofrio. "Our team has worked so hard since the spring to get to this, and to see our hard work is finally paying off is very rewarding."
Montana was able to apply heavy pressure on Northern Arizona's defense, totaling 14 shots, with five of them being on goal. Despite managing only eight shots, half of the Lumberjacks' attempts were on goal, and they were able to make the most of their opportunities.
NAU next travels to Eastern Washington to take on the Eagles in the regular-season finale on Sunday.
