The Ashland University women's soccer team held steady in the No. 3 spot in Wednesday (Nov. 6) afternoon's release of the NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings.
This was the second of three rankings releases before the NCAA Tournament field is announced on Nov. 18. The next rankings release will be on Nov. 13.
The top eight teams in the region will earn bids to the NCAA Tournament with the tournament winners of the GLIAC, Great Lakes Valley and Great Midwest Athletic Conferences earning automatic qualification.
The top two teams in the region will earn the rights to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
The Eagles (13-2-1) are ranked No. 12 in the United Soccer Coaches national poll. They are coming off a 2-1 overtime win over Davenport on Sunday, coming back from a 1-0 deficit in the second half with two goals by redshirt-senior forward Deijah Swihart. The previous game the Eagles had their nine-game winning streak snapped with a 2-0 defeat to No. 2 Grand Valley State.
Ashland will conclude the regular season on Friday (Nov. 8) with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Saginaw Valley. A win or draw by the Eagles will earn them the No. 2 seed in the GLIAC Tournament.
AU is seeking its second straight bid to the NCAA Tournament after earning the No. 7 seed last season. The Eagles are in their second season under head coach Taylor Clarke.
AU has already clinched a home game in the GLIAC Tournament quarterfinal, which will be played on Sunday (Nov. 10) at 1 p.m. at Ferguson Field. Because it is a postseason game, we will sell tickets for the game at prices of $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. The first 50 AU students presenting ID at the game will be admitted for free. All others will be charged admission.
The full NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings follow.
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