After a prep career that included two Arizona 4A II State Championships, 78 saves, 10 shutouts and a second team all-region selection in 2007 in four years at Flagstaff High School, NAU sophomore goalkeeper Natasha Slaughter didn’t have to think twice about where she would continue her soccer career at the collegiate level.

“It was an easy choice [to stay home at NAU],” Slaughter said. “It wasn’t difficult for me to stay here because I feel at home here, and I really wanted to play at NAU.”

Although she arrived at NAU with impressive credentials, Slaughter, a biomedical science major with hopes of becoming a pediatrician, played sparingly in her first year as a Lumberjack last season. Yet with incumbent starter Tori Rocke recovering from an injury, Slaughter has opened the 2009 season with 135 scoreless minutes, including her first career collegiate shutout against Southern Utah on Aug. 23.

NAU Goal keeper Natasha Slaughter Jennifer Hilderbrand / The Lumberjack

“We were really confident and had no doubts in [Slaughter],” said junior midfielder Rebekah Schmidt, Slaughter’s teammate of three years at Flagstaff High and current Lumberjack teammate. “She played in the spring because [Rocke] was hurt and had an amazing spring. We all knew she could get the job done because she is a great keeper.”

Although Slaughter is still recovering from her own injury she suffered during the spring, she continued improving her game and benefited from the increased playing time in the offseason.

“She had huge games against BYU and ASU in the spring,” said head coach Andre Luciano. “Her confidence rose tremendously, and she’s managing games well right now. For a goalkeeper, it’s not so much the saves, but managing the game so you don’t have to make saves. She’s doing a great job communicating with our backs and organizing them.”

However, Slaughter isn’t satisfied with her recent success.

“I’ve definitely gotten more confident from last year,” Slaughter said. “I feel that my leadership skills have increased a little, but there’s always room for improvement.”

In addition to her success on the field, Slaughter was a Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete Award recipient in the classroom last year. In addition, she was also a member of the Native American National Honor Society at Flagstaff High.

Among her teammates, Slaughter is one of the clowns on the team despite her shy disposition.

“She’s a fun person but kind of ditzy,” Schmidt said. “She makes us all have a good time and provides us with a good laugh. Her smile on her face always keeps us in good spirit.”

So what will happen with Slaughter when Rocke is cleared to play once again?

“The best goalkeeper that keeps the team working and allows the team to play not only the best defensively, but offensively as well, will play,” Luciano said. “Right now Natasha is our starter, and fortunately we have a really good group of goalkeepers. I’m confident in both [Slaughter and Rocke], and I’d hope to say I have the best 1-2 combo in the conference.”

But regardless of who is in goal once Rocke is healthy, don’t expect any goalkeeper controversy from Slaughter.

“The team will work hard and play for each other, no matter who’s starting,” Slaughter said. “We’re still a team no matter what, and all I can do is to keep improving in every aspect of my play.”

Editor’s note: Before the Sunday, Aug. 30 match-up against Loyola Marymount, Slaughter suffered a knee injury. Details on the injury remain undisclosed, but the Lumberjacks goaltender could potentially miss the remainder of the season.