The Ashland University women's soccer team opened the season with two first-half goals and kept a clean sheet to defeat visiting Lewis, 2-0, on Friday (Sept. 6) night at Ferguson Field.
The Eagles (1-0) did not need long to get into the swing of the season, consistently cutting through the attacking third with diagonal passes and runs behind the Lewis defense.
The first goal came in the 19th minute as junior newcomer Nadya Boualany dipped a run from midfield to the top of the box where she powered a cross to the back post. Senior forward Deijah Swihart, playing in her first game since Sept. 21, 2018, hit it off the half-volley to score the opener for the Eagles.
"We've been practicing – far post, far post – and if she shoots it I'm going to be here at the far post," Swihart said. "But I really don't know what happened. I just stuck my foot out to be honest and it happened to go in."
The Eagles doubled their lead in the 36th minute on a corner kick. Sophomore defender Mary Grace Haney struck an in-swinging ball for the back post where sophomore forward Stephanie Slader rose over everyone for her second career goal.
The Eagles had other chances in the first half and held a 9-3 edge in shots in the first 45 minutes.
After the break, Lewis (0-1) took the game to the Eagles, who fended off five corners in the second half.
After about 15 minutes, Ashland regained its foothold on the game and saw it to its deserved result.
Junior Hannah Lee made three saves in goal for the Eagles while the center back pairing of senior Sydney Wright and sophomore Tori Baker thwarted numerous Lewis attacks.
The Eagles had a 13-5 edge in shots, while the Flyers led in corners, 6-3.
The Eagles will return to action on Tuesday (Sept. 10) at 1 p.m. at Tiffin.
AU
WSOC/BB
