The Ashland University men's soccer team scored two second-half goals and returned to the win column with a 2-0 triumph at Slippery Rock in nonconference action on Wednesday (Sept. 20) afternoon.
It was Ashland's third game in six days – all coming away from Ferguson Field.
"That was a great way to bounce back," said AU head coach Oliver Slawson. "It was as dominant a performance as we've had with the two goals and the clean sheet."
The Eagles (4-2) were sharp from the outset, out-shooting the Rock (1-3-1), 6-0, in the first seven minutes of the game. Freshman Keegan Farver had a shot denied by the crossbar and sophomore Andrew Pearson took the other five shots in that stretch.
Slippery Rock worked back into the game after the initial rush by the Eagles, who held a 7-5 advantage in shots in the first half.
In what turned into a wide-open game with both teams mounting attacks, the Eagles struck in the 56th minute on set pieces. Sophomore Jordan Dees hit a free kick and Pearson rose to head in his third goal of the season. Dees was credited with his second assist.
"Jordan played a great free kick into the box and Andrew used all of his size and strength to knock it in at the back post," Slawson said.
The game continued to go back-and-forth with shots coming from both sides when, at the 76:00 mark, Dees played a through-ball to freshman Justin Libertowski. Libertowski had his initial shot saved, but freshman Jacob Koehler cleaned up the rebound for his first collegiate goal. Libertowski was credited with his second assist.
"Dees played the ball through, Libertowski put it on frame, and Koehler did a great job pouncing on the rebound," said Slawson. "It was a nice play for him in just his second collegiate game."
The Eagles fended off three shots by the Rock over the final 14 minutes to preserve the shutout.
Making his first collegiate start, junior goalkeeper Ameer Mubarak made six saves to keep the Eagles' second clean sheet of the season.
Ashland will make its return to GLIAC play on Sunday (Sept. 24), welcoming Northwood for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at Ferguson Field.
AU
MSOC/BB