Women’s soccer: Wolverines claim opener over Lumberjacks

Photo by Keely Damara

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.—The Utah Valley University women’s soccer team dominated the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks as they claimed their first opening-day victory since 2011. The Wolverines scored three second-half goals and their way to a 4-1 win. UVU’s last win on opening day came at Clyde Field in a 4-2 triumph over the Portland State Vikings.

The Wolverines (1-0) came out as the aggressors as they peppered four shots towards the goal within the first six minutes of play. None of the shots, however, found the mark. The Lumberjacks (0-1) answered with four shots of their own through the rest of the half, but UVU continued their attack.

Tori Smith found an opportunity in the 44th minute as NAU goalkeeper Meghan Dickmann came out of her box and shot the ball by Dickmann for the first goal of UVU’s season for a 1-0 lead.

The Wolverines came out of the break with aggression and launched one shot on goal then won two corner kicks before the 51-minute mark. The continued aggression paid quick dividends for UVU as Sara Callister scored in the 54th minute for a 2-0 Wolverine lead.

Breanna McCarter and Alexis Peterson then broke open the game with quick, successive goals in the 71st and 77th minute, respectively. McCarter was assisted on a through ball by Smith then shot the ball just under the crossbar. Peterson punctuated UVU’s scoring as she received a cross from Leesa Stowe then sent it into the upper 90 for a 4-0 lead.

NAU cracked the scoreboard as Malia Lyken scored on a penalty kick in the 84th minute, but UVU had the game well in hand and rode the lead to a 4-1 win.

UVU now travels to Tucson, Ariz. to take on the No. 20 Arizona Wildcats Sunday at 7 p.m. MT at Murphey Field at Mulcahy Soccer Stadium.