Lyken’s goal in 86th minute lifts Northern Arizona to 1-0 win

August 25, 2017

Malia Lyken soccer

Malia Lyken

After knocking on the door just minutes earlier, Malia Lyken of Anchorage knocked in her second chance to give Northern Arizona University its second win in three games to start the college soccer season.

The sophomore scored the winning goal in the 86th minute in a 1-0 win over Grand Canyon in a NCAA D1 women’s matchup between Arizona schools.

Lyken, of Dimond High fame, had hit the side of the net with a shot 10 minutes earlier.

It was her second career goal, although the first came on a PK.

Lyken, the 2016 Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year, scored one goal in 11 games last year. This year she’s already got one in the third game.

It’s indicative of her development.

Last year she played a season high 57 minutes, whereas this year she has logged games of 51, 71 and 59. She’s already matched last year’s shot total [4] and owns her first game winner.