Ashland University's lacrosse team won its first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game of the season on Sunday (March 17) against Maryville University.
The Eagles are now 1-1 in the conference with the 14-9 win. In a game that was tied 5-5 at the break, it was all Ashland down the stretch, outscoring the Saints in the second half, 9-4.
Leading the way for the Eagles on offense was junior standout Sofia Michael. She netted six goals on the day to bring her season tally to 24. The balanced Ashland attack was helped by junior Renee Ruppert, who found the net three times; and senior Lauren Taylor, who had three goals, one of which was the game-winner.
Senior Haley Abraszek added a goal, and sophomore Leah Brickman also scored once for Ashland.
Freshman Corynn Schneider held strong in the net, making 10 saves, and holding Maryville to singles digits in scoring.
Half 1 was a back-and-forth affair, with no team gaining a decisive advantage. The Saints' 5-3 lead with 10:30 to go in the first half was their largest of the game, and the largest of the half. From that stage in the contest on, Ashland went on an 11-4 run the win the game.
Late in the second half, that run was kickstarted by Ruppert, who added an unassisted goal with 6:44 left in the half. Michael scored a few minutes later on the pass from freshman Cora Wilson to go into the break tied at 5.
In the second half, it was all Ashland.
Ruppert and Michael put the Eagles up 7-5 with early goals, 28:44 and 28:07 to play, respectively. Later, with the game tied at 9, Taylor scored the game-winning goal from Wilson's assist with 14:04 left to play. The Eagles shut down Maryville after that, scoring four more goals from Ruppert twice, Taylor once more, and Michael.
Ashland's defense was stifling down the stretch. The Saints did not score for the final 16:62 of the game. The Eagles also managed to force 15 turnovers compared to the 13 forced by Maryville.
Shots were even in the contest, 27-27. Ashland was slightly more accurate on its shots, leading 23-19 in shots on goal. The Eagles also had the edge in draw controls, 15-10.
Ashland will return home to face Grand Valley State in GLIAC play on Friday (March 22) at 7 p.m.
AU
LAX/SVS