Sacramento State women’s soccer (5-6-0) lost its second Big Sky conference game of the year today against Northern Arizona (5-3-2) by a final score of 1-0.    

It was a defensive battle throughout the match between the two respective teams. However, a half second goal by NAU’s junior forward Haley Wingender in the 66th minute ended up being the game-clinching goal for the Lumberjacks. 

Offensively in the first half of play, the Hornets out shot the Lumberjacks 7-5, including having the upper hand advantage for shots on goal 4-2.  

It was a battle of two halves for the Hornets, as they were out shot by the Lumberjacks in the second half 8-3. The Hornets played an incredible game against the Lumberjacks on both sides of the ball, but they came up just a little bit short in the end.    

Sac State senior goalkeeper Kimberly Mata had a busy day in the box as she had six saves on the day, as the Lumberjacks offense were scratching their way to score more goals later in the game. 

For the Lumberjacks, this was Wingender’s sixth goal of the 2014 season. She scored outside of the box and into the Hornet net late in the second half. 

It was a rough physical matchup between the two teams, as two of Northern Arizona’s players received yellow cards. 

Senior midfielder Savannah Berry received the first yellow card in the 69th minute of play. Later on in the game, freshman forward Adrian Nixt was the recipient of the other yellow card in the 88th minute of play.  

The Hornets will play the next four conference games at home. The first one starting on Friday against Montana at 4 p.m. For the Hornets, having the next four games at home and will play a crucial factor for the team moving forward this season.   

The Grizzlies have a 6-5 record overall, including a 2-0 record in the Big Sky Conference.