Northern Arizona University’s Brandy Johnson spoiled the Hornets’ Big Sky conference home opener with two goals in a 2-1 victory over Sacramento State on Friday afternoon.

The Hornets dropped to 5-6-2 overall and 0-1-1 in Big Sky action. The Lumberjacks are now 4-6-3 overall and 1-0 in the Big Sky.

Johnson scored the first goal of the match in the 19th minute with a header to the right corner of the net off a deflected volley from Jesyca Rosholt.

Four minutes later Sac State sweeper Stacey Rowell found the equalizer.

Striker Kelly Novak fired a shot that deflected off the outstretched hands of diving Northern Arizona goalkeeper Andrea Berra, but Rowell — patrolling the penalty area – knocked in the deflection to tie the game at 1-1.

The score would remain tied until the 76th minute when Johnson found the net again.

Northern Arizona’s Sierra Cristiano found Johnson open in the middle of the box. Her shot went to the left corner of the net over Hornet keeper Stephanie Shaw, giving the Lumberjacks a 2-1 lead.

Sac State had a golden opportunity to tie the score with two point-blank shots on goal in the final minute of play, but Berra made two impressive saves.

“This was a tough one,” head coach Karen Hanks said. “We made silly mistakes defensively. Like their first goal, we gave them that one.”

On Wednesday, the Hornets coasted to a 3-1 non-conference victory over the visiting San Jose State Spartans.

Maggie Murphy, Lisamarie La Vallee and Jennifer Iha all connected for goals in a win that temporarily leveled the Hornets record at 5-5-2.

Murphy scored the first goal of her collegiate career in the 13th minute when she intercepted a pass from a Spartan fullback and placed the shot into the right corner of the net to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead.

San Jose State responded in the 29th minute when Christina Morrison sent a cross to Alaina Chandler who was waiting in front of the net.

Chandler placed her shot to the right corner of the net, tying the score.

Sac State took the momentum in the second half when Courtney Gorham found La Vallee open for a goal to give the Hornets a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute.

La Vallee leads the team with six goals this season.

Less than a minute later, Jennifer Iha put the game away with the second goal of her collegiate career, making the lead 3-1.