TIFFIN, Ohio – The Ashland University women's soccer team turned in its second straight clean sheet to start the season and scored three times, blanking host Tiffin, 3-0, on Tuesday (Sept. 10) afternoon in nonconference action.
The Eagles (2-0) had no trouble handling the Dragons (0-3) on their home field as they out-shot the hosts, 23-6, on the day and held possession in their attacking half of the field for much of the afternoon.
"We were excited to go up 2-0 in the first half," said second-year head coach Taylor Clarke. "That set us up for a good chance to be successful in the second. We did some of the things we wanted to. I think we could have been a little more creative to get behind, but overall I think we're happy being able to go deep and show our depth in terms of quality. Not just putting players out there, but players who deserve to be out there and can keep our level, or even raise our level.
The scoring started early for the Eagles as they got on the board in the 11th minute. They won one of several free kicks from fouls in the first half and sophomore defender Tori Baker hit an arcing cross to the back post where sophomore forward Makenzie Kelly knocked it over the head of Tiffin keeper Nahomi Lopez for the goal.
Midway through the first half, senior Deijah Swihart created space near the end-line and crossed to junior Hannah Riddle, who squared a ball for sophomore Brianna Fourman. At the edge of the six-yard box, Fourman tapped it home for her first goal of the season.
The Eagles effectively put the game away in the second half with their possession and not allowing the Dragons any decent looks against junior keeper Abby Lampe.
"We possessed in the half and limited the other team's chances," Clark said. "We probably could have been a little cleaner in our shape, but happy to be able to cut out their chances with our possession."
Sophomore Faith Lewis put in the final goal for the Eagles as she received a ball at the top of the 18-yard box from senior Korinna Lakes, turned and lofted a shot over Lopez to make it 3-0.
The Eagles have now scored five goals from five different players on the season.
"We knew it was going to be a deep group of forwards coming off the bench and we were going rely on multiple people," Clarke said. "It's great to see people step up who aren't starters to put the game away."
This was the first of three road games for the Eagles this week, who will travel to Findlay on Friday (Sept. 13) at 4 p.m.
AU
WSOC/BB
