NAU’s game in Tucson a homecoming for local players | National News

[ad_1]

FLAGSTAFF – NAU coach Chris Ball called Saturday’s soccer game against Arizona “a great opportunity to play against a Pac-12 team and show off your talents in front of your family” for more than 70 Arizona players on the Lumberjacks roster .

For the four woodcutters who grew up in southern Arizona, however, Saturday will de facto be a home game, which makes the trip even more special. Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman Jonas Leader, for example, graduated from Canyon del Oro High School.

Leader was part of the NAU team that traveled to Arizona in 2019, where the Lumberjacks fell 65-41 in an offensive shootout against the Wildcats. There will likely be less of a nerve this time around, but Leader still said he was excited to play in front of about 10 family members who will be in attendance. However, the awe of playing at a stadium he used to attend games at will quickly wane as the Lumberjacks look to claim their first win of the season.

“It’s business when I’m there. I have to get the mindset that it’s just another soccer game and prepare like that, but it’s really cool, ”said Leader.

“I know the stadium, the pitch, the atmosphere, the surroundings. But when I’m out there, I have to treat it like a normal game: don’t let my highs get too high or the lows too low, ”added PhD kicker Luis Aguilar, who has his own reasons to be excited about the road trip .

Aguilar is from nearby Nogales and was a regular at Wildcats games as a child. He once said his family even had season tickets.

Much of his immediate and extended family will make the 45-minute drive to Tucson on Saturday. Aguilar said at least 25 friends and family have already bought tickets. Each of them will see him fulfill a childhood dream again.

“It’s really fucking cool to be honest, because I put myself in that field when I went to games and thought, ‘Man, I wish I could play there one day,’ and now, to play my third and last time , it’s nice and great. I’ll have a lot of family there, which makes it even more special, “said Aguilar.

Not only is Saturday’s game the Lumberjacks’ only competition against a state opponent this season, but it’s also a chance to play against local talent for the first time in several years.

Over the past few seasons, both the Wildcats and Lumberjacks have made a concerted effort to recruit and sign athletes from Arizona. For those who have played Prep Football in the state, Saturday will be another opportunity for the athletes to compete against those they may have played against in years past.

“It’s cool every time you go up against guys you played in high school and move up to the next level,” Leader said, noting that teams from all over the Big Sky have Arizona kids, but these guys in particular both cadres are strewn with them.

The Lumberjacks will take the bus to Tucson on Friday and stay at a hotel on Friday night for walkthroughs and game preparation. Leader and Aguilar said there will be little time for socializing, although they both plan to have friends and family come to their hotel for a few moments to greet them on Friday night once team activities are over.

They’ll likely stay on the field at Arizona Stadium after the game to visit loved ones again. The talks will be even livelier when Northern Arizona can score a victory against the FBS opponents.

The upcoming game is exciting for all athletes in the state, especially those who call southern Arizona home. The goal, said Aguilar, is to enjoy your time there, but not to let the moment get too overwhelming.

“At the end of the day, I just kick a ball. I do this every day and I have to treat it like training or other games. There won’t be any extra pressure there, just more special, ”said Aguilar.

[ad_2]