GRAND FORKS, N.D. --- The University of North Dakota soccer team suffered another scoreless Big Sky Conference loss Friday, as Northern Arizona took advantage of key opportunities to prevail over UND by a score of 4-0.
With the loss, North Dakota falls to 2-10-1 on the season and 0-6-0 in Big Sky Conference play, while Northern Arizona improves its record to 5-6-4 on the season and 3-1-2 in BSC play.
The majority of play during the first half came from midfield as possession went back and forth between the two teams. Both teams looked to remain scoreless entering the halftime break, but Northern Arizona's Emily Roth gave the Lumberjacks the go-ahead goal at the 44:57 mark. NAU took this late 1-0 lead into the half.
Northern Arizona would carry its momentum into the second half, accumulating another three goals and holding North Dakota to zero.
NAU's second goal of the game came in the 52nd minute, as Demi Schmieder found the net. This unassisted goal would give the Lumberjacks a 2-0 lead.
Less than six minutes later, at the 57:24 mark, Schmieder tallied her second goal of the game on a pass from Roth, giving Northern Arizona a 3-0 advantage.
The Lumberjacks concluded their scoring in the 87th minute with a goal by Elinor Priest. Jordan Stenger and Kelly Whelen each collected an assist on the game-sealing goal.
Northern Arizona tallied 15 shots to North Dakota's 11.
Rhaya Ballon (Rogers, Minn.) led North Dakota with three shots, while Noel Scherer (Fargo, N.D.) and Sheri Stapf (Lakeville, Minn.) each contributed two shots for UND.
UND's goalkeeper, Kristi Hestdalen (Pierre, S.D.), tallied three saves in the losing effort. NAU's goalkeeper, Lauren Weaver, also compiled three saves.
North Dakota will look to pick up its first Big Sky Conference victory Sunday against Southern Utah at Bronson Field. This final home matchup will also serve as Senior Day, honoring UND's four senior players.
