FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (August 27) - The Northern Arizona women's soccer team (0-1-0) lost its regular-season opener
Friday, losing 4-1 to Arizona (1-0-0) in front of 256 in Lumberjack Stadium. The victory
snapped the Wildcats' nine-match winless streak. The last time UA won a match was against
NAU last September in a 4-2 decision in Tucson. With the loss, NAU has dropped its last
three matches and has been outscored 7-1 in those contests.
The Wildcats' first goal was scored just after the seven-minute mark by sophomore foward
Tiffany Sabado. NAU sophomore forward Erin Quinn tied the contest at the 33:08 mark with
her first career goal off assists from junior forward Raegin Eyre and sophomore forward
Holly Jones. Sabado would give the Wildcats a lead that they would not relinquish, scoring
her second goal of the evening at 33:45.
"Tiffany Sabado worked her tail off this summer. You have to make a major commitment when
you get to this level," said sixth-year UA coach Lisa Fraser, who earned her 100th career
win. "It's obvious she's done that and she made the difference tonight."
The remaining two Wildcat goals were scored by junior forward Chrissy Sanford, one at 52:50
the other at 70:15. The Lumberjacks outshot their opponent 13-12, but a quick UA offense
took eight shots on goal to six by NAU.
"Part of tonight's loss was a speed issue; we need to learn to adjust," said third-year NAU
head coach Tracy Custer. "Two or three of Arizona goals came off counterattacks. We also
need to work on our organization and communication on both sides of the field. But we did
improve from the exhibition (Sunday)."
"I would have loved to have done this to someone other than Tracy," Fraser said of her
milestone achieved against her former player at Washington State. "Every coach would
love to have four of five Tracys on their team."
NAU returns to action Friday Sept. 3 with a 6 p.m. home match against New Mexico.
Arizona 4, Northern Arizona 1
Arizona 2 2 - 4
Northern Arizona 1 0 - 1
First half - 1, UA, Tiffany Sabado 1 (Chrissy Sanford 1), 7:10;
2, NAU, Erin Quinn 1 (Holly Jones 1/Raegin Eyre 1), 33:08; 3, UA,
Sabado 2 (Marisa Padula 1), 33:45.
Second half - 4, UA, Sanford 1 (Sabado 1), 52:50; 5,
UA, Sanford 2, 70:15.
Shots at Goal - UA 12, NAU 13.
Shots on Goal - UA 8, NAU 6.
Offsides - UA 3.
Fouls - UA 11, NAU 14.
Referee - Keith Pharr; Linesmen - Richard Mackey, George Hart.
A - 256.
