RIVERSIDE, Calif. – For the first time this season, the Northern Arizona women's soccer team trailed in a game Sunday, but the Lumberjacks responded with a goal in the second half to earn a 1-1 draw against UC Riverside.
NAU has yet to lose this season.
"At halftime, I told them it was going to be a measure of their character," said head coach Andre Luciano. "They put our midfielders under a lot of pressure, and we responded. I'll take a 3-0-1 record and post a 2-0-1 record in California to start the season."
UC Riverside was able to get on the board first, with Sammy Arellano scoring in the 21st minute for a 1-0 lead. But that was all goalkeeper Lauren Weaver and the NAU defense would allow.
The Lumberjacks finally responded in the 63rd minute, with junior midfielder Savannah Berry finding the back of the net in the 63rd minute to tie the match at 1-1 and force overtime, where neither team was able to tally.
Weaver earned praise from her coach at the conclusion of the road trip after having allowed only one goal in 200 minutes of play. On Sunday, NAU was outshot 22-13.
"Lauren Weaver was fantastic today," said Luciano. "She played like a senior tonight, steady and brought great leadership, and she is the reason why we will be in a lot of games this year."
Every goal the Lumberjacks have scored this season has been in the second half, as they've outscored their opponents 5-2 in the second period.
"It was a test of our character because we have not trailed this season," said Berry. "There was no doubt that we were going to come back and get a result in this game."
NAU will get a week's rest before taking on UNLV at home Sunday.
