Eagles Climb To No. 18 in United Soccer Coaches Poll

Eagles Climb To No. 18 in United Soccer Coaches Poll

The Ashland University women's soccer team moved up seven spots to No. 18 in the latest United Soccer Coaches national poll the organization announced on Tuesday (Oct. 15) afternoon.

The Eagles (9-1-1, 4-0 GLIAC) were ranked No. 25 last week before beating Northwood and Ferris State, a pair of quality teams, at home over the weekend. AU is alone atop the GLIAC standings.

This matches Ashland's highest national ranking of last season when they were No. 18 on Sept. 25. The last time the Eagles were higher was when they were No. 13 on Sept. 13, 2005.

Last week, the Eagles dominated Northwood, 3-0, by putting away the Timberwolves early with three first-half goals. Against Ferris State on Sunday, AU scored twice in the first half and looked impenetrable for much of the game until the Bulldogs scored in 89th minute. Ferris State's only two losses this season are to Ashland.

Redshirt-senior defender Sydney Wright was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week for her performance as she scored the game-winner against the Bulldogs and helped keep them to no shots in the first half. Junior keeper Hannah Lee won the award the previous two weeks as the Eagles had their 367-minute shutout streak snapped by Ferris.

While the Eagles have been stout defensively all season, allowing more than one goal in a game just one time, they are also third in the conference in goals per game (2.18). Ten players have at least one goal on the season and six players have multiple goals.

The Eagles, in their second season under head coach Taylor Clarke, will play Saginaw Valley on Saturday (Oct. 19) at 3 p.m. in a nonconference game at Ferguson Field.

AU

WSOC/BB