The Ashland University men's soccer team scored a goal late in the first half and kept a clean sheet to pick up all three points with a 1-0 win at Purdue Northwest on Friday (Oct. 4) afternoon in Hammond, Ind.
The Eagles (2-6, 2-3 GLIAC) have now won two of their last three games after dropping the first five games of the campaign.
Ashland was on the lead foot most of the game and the Eagles sealed their fate in the 41st minute. They won a free kick about 40 yards from goal that junior Yusuke Yasumasu drove into the box.
The ball was cleared out to the left side to junior Jackson Crawford, who dragged a pass down the left wing to sophomore Joseph Renner. The center back needed just one touch to loft it to the back post where senior Andrew Pearson banged it in with a powerful header for his second goal of the season.
The Eagles were the clear frontrunners in the game, leading in shots, 15-4, and holding a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.
Redshirt-sophomore Marshall Ney made three saves to keep the clean sheet, his second in his last three outings.
Ashland, returning closer to full health since preseason injuries ravaged the team, now sits sixth in conference play with six points.
The Eagles return to the pitch on Sunday (Oct. 6) at GLIAC newcomer Upper Iowa. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET in Fayette, Iowa.
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