FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Early fireworks led to a back-and-forth defensive battle for the final 78 minutes on Sunday afternoon as the Sacramento State women's soccer team and host Northern Arizona battled to a 1-1 draw in a Big Sky Conference match-up in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Now unbeaten in their last five matches, the Hornets recorded their third consecutive draw while moving to 4-6-6 overall on the year and 2-2-3 in Big Sky play. Sacramento State is 2-0-3 in its last five contests, which began with wins over Idaho State (4-1) and Weber State (3-0) followed by draws against Northern Colorado (1-1), league-leading Montana (0-0), and now the Lumberjacks (1-1).
The six draws overall for the Hornets are tied for the most in school history, matching the 2019 squad that finished 11-2-6 overall. With Sunday's result, the three consecutive draws are the most since Sacramento State played in four straight ties in the pandemic-delayed 2021 spring season against Pacific, Oregon, and twice against Eastern Washington.
With the result, Northern Arizona moved to 2-7-5 overall and 2-3-1 in league play.
After the Lumberjacks broke the scoreless deadlock early with a goal by Haylee Phoenix just four minutes in, Hornet junior Madelyn Dougherty netted her second score of the season to even things up in the 12th minute.
Receiving a pass at the top right side corner of the box, Doughtery was able to fight off a pair of defenders before putting the ball on her left foot and firing a shot past the diving goalkeeper just inside the right post to make it 1-1.
Sophomore goalkeeper Izzy Palmatier, who finished with four saves on the day, made a pair in the first half, stopping Avery Ott twice — including punching the second attempt over the cross bar and out for a corner to preserve the draw.
At the other end, Lexi Schroeder twice tested Trinity Corcoran as did Ariana Scholten, but both came up empty.
After combining for 15 shots in the first half, the two teams didn't let up after the break, coming together to unleash 18 shots in the second half.
Palmatier smothered an attempt just three minutes into the second period before Natalie Manzo, who replaced Corcoran at the half for NAU, stopped three chances over the next 10 minutes.
Sacramento State, which put 10 of its 15 attempts on frame for the match compared to just five for the Lumberjacks, had a golden opportunity in the final three minutes as Jaety Mandaquit found herself wide open inside the box, but her attempt to the upper right corner just missed, catching the side netting.
Scholten finished with three shots to lead the Hornets, while Abigail Lopez, Dougherty, and Schroeder, all finished with two apiece.
Sacramento State's 15 shot attempts marked the team's second-highest total of the year, trailing only the 20 attempts against Houston Baptist on Aug. 17, while the 10 shots on goal were the most since the Hornets finished with 10 against Portland State on April 11, 2021.
The regular season finale for Sacramento State will be on the road next Sunday (Oct. 27) as the Hornets travel to the "Rose City" to take on Portland State at Noon.
