The Ashland University women's soccer team had its run in the GLIAC Tournament ended in the semifinal on Friday (Nov. 15) night as Saginaw Valley claimed a 2-0 win over the Eagles in Allendale, Mich.
The Eagles (14-4-1), who were ranked No. 3 in the latest NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings, now wait to see their NCAA postseason fate when the tournament field is announced on Monday (Nov. 18) at 6 p.m. on NCAA.com. The top eight teams in the region will earn bids to the tournament with automatic qualification going to the conference tournament champs of the GLIAC, GLVC and G-MAC.
On Friday, the Eagles were held scoreless for just the third time this season as Saginaw limited them to just seven total shots, including four on goal. Alyssa Watts earned the clean sheet for the Cardinals, who beat the Eagles for the second time in eight days.
The Cardinals scored in the 14th minute on a strike by Hannah Tarnaski and assisted by Sakura Bals. They added their second before halftime, in the 31st minute, as Sara Samolinski came free in the middle of the box on a cross and flick by Amy Babon and Molly Vanderhoff.
Senior Emily Ledbetter tried to cut the deficit in half just a couple minutes before the break, but Watts was equal to the long distance effort, tipping it over the bar.
She had another try in the 68th minute off a deflected free kick, but Watts raced back into position to make the stop.
The Cardinals had an 11-7 lead in shots, including a 9-2 edge in the first half as they built their 2-0 lead.
Junior goalkeeper Hannah Lee made three saves for the Eagles.
Saginaw Valley will now play host Grand Valley State in the tournament final on Sunday with the winner earning the GLIAC's automatic berth in the NCAA bracket.
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