Eagles Blank Bridgeport, Stay Unbeaten In Four Games

Eagles Blank Bridgeport, Stay Unbeaten In Four Games

The Ashland University women's soccer team continued its unbeaten run to start the season with an impressive 2-0 win over Bridgeport (Conn.) on Friday (Sept. 7). The game was played at a neutral site – the GVSU Soccer Field in Allendale, Mich. 

The Eagles (3-0-1) have not allowed a goal in 251 minutes as sophomore keeper Hannah Lee and the back line earned their second consecutive clean sheet.

Ashland controlled possession early against a Bridgeport side that came into the game receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches national poll.

The Eagles made the most of their possession in the 27th minute as redshirt-junior Deijah Swihart sent in a cross from the right side that freshman Makenzie Kelly swept into the goal to give AU a 1-0 lead. It was the first career goal for Kelly and Swihart's first assist of the season. 

Ashland nearly made it 2-0 at the halftime horn, but a shot by junior Juliana Markovic struck the post. The Knights (2-1) also went down to 10 players just before halftime because of a red card.

The Eagles took advantage less than three minutes after the intermission as Swihart created a chance in front of goal by beating the keeper and putting her shot over the goal line. Swihart now has two goals on the season and 20 in her career.

AU withstood additional pressure from Bridgeport, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal two years ago, in the second half, but kept the clean sheet.

The Eagles had a 12-11 advantage in total shots, including an 8-2 lead in the first half. Lee made three saves to preserve the shutout while UB keeper Jennifer Wendelius stopped five shots.

The Eagles now have the remainder of the weekend off and return to the field on Wednesday (Sept. 12) when they welcome Charleston (W.Va.) to Ferguson Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

AU 

WSOC/BB