Northern Arizona University's Brandy Johnson spoiled theHornets' Big Sky conference home opener with two goals in a2-1 victory over Sacramento State on Friday afternoon.
The Hornets dropped to 5-6-2 overall and 0-1-1 in Big Skyaction. The Lumberjacks are now 4-6-3 overall and 1-0 in the BigSky.
Johnson scored the first goal of the match in the 19th minutewith a header to the right corner of the net off a deflected volleyfrom Jesyca Rosholt.
Four minutes later Sac State sweeper Stacey Rowell found theequalizer.
Striker Kelly Novak fired a shot that deflected off theoutstretched hands of diving Northern Arizona goalkeeper AndreaBerra, but Rowell &- patrolling the penalty area - knocked inthe deflection to tie the game at 1-1.
The score would remain tied until the 76th minute when Johnsonfound the net again.
Northern Arizona's Sierra Cristiano found Johnson open inthe middle of the box. Her shot went to the left corner of the netover Hornet keeper Stephanie Shaw, giving the Lumberjacks a 2-1lead.
Sac State had a golden opportunity to tie the score with twopoint-blank shots on goal in the final minute of play, but Berramade 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-conferencevictory over the visiting San Jose State Spartans.
Maggie Murphy, Lisamarie La Vallee and Jennifer Iha allconnected for goals in a win that temporarily leveled the Hornetsrecord at 5-5-2.
Murphy scored the first goal of her collegiate career in the13th minute when she intercepted a pass from a Spartan fullback andplaced the shot into the right corner of the net to give theHornets a 1-0 lead.
San Jose State responded in the 29th minute when ChristinaMorrison sent a cross to Alaina Chandler who was waiting in frontof the net.
Chandler placed her shot to the right corner of the net, tyingthe score.
Sac State took the momentum in the second half when CourtneyGorham found La Vallee open for a goal to give the Hornets a 2-1lead 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 withthe second goal of her collegiate career, making the lead 3-1.
