Late Goal Lifts Lumberjacks over Bengals.

Box Score

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.- Cierra Gamble scored on a rebound in the 88th minute to give Northern Arizona a 2-1 win over Idaho State at Lumberjack Stadium in frigid Flagstaff, Ariz.
 
The loss is the first for Idaho State (4-5-1, 1-1-1 BSC) in Big Sky Conference play. Northern Arizona (6-2-3, 2-0-0 BSC) remains undefeated in the conference.
 
The game was played in temperatures below freezing at elevations above 7,000 feet.
 
Idaho State started the scoring off when Allyson Stainbrook's free kick was headed into the goal by Amanda Ellsworth in the 28th minute.
 
The goal was Ellsworth's fourth of the season, tied for a team high with Stainbrook. The assist was Stainbrook's first on the season.
 
Northern Arizona answered back with just over a minute to play in the first half. Haley Wingender  received back pass from Gamble just outside the box, she sent the ball past Hapsic's outstretched hands to even the match up at 1-1.
 
Northern Arizona more than doubled the Bengals first half shots 9-4. NAU also had five first half shots on goal to the Bengals two.
 
The second half was marked by aggressive play by NAU. All the Lumberjacks had to show for it was seven second half offsides calls before Gambles goal in the waning minutes.
 
Defensive mistakes are costly because goals have been at a premium for the Bengals this season. ISU  is struggling to replace the offensive production of Rachel Strawn and the rest of last season's graduating seniors.
 
"We lost so much offensively to graduation and we are having trouble replacing the goals," Gibson said. "We don't have the luxury of having three or four goals a match like we had last season. We have to be perfect on defense and we can't relax for a single play."
 
NAU finished the match with a 15-7 shot advantage and a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal.
 
The Bengals next travel to Cedar City, Utah, to face Southern Utah on Sunday at 1 p.m.. The Thunderbirds surprised Weber State and beat the Wildcats 2-1.
 
 "Nothing in the Big Sky surprises me," Gibson said. "There is so much parity in this league that anyone can win on any day. It just ramps up the meaning of every match we play."