Box Score ASHLAND, Ohio – AU women's soccer coach Glenn Francis continues to talk about his team taking one step a time. At this point, his Eagles may be taking just one step at a time, but they are huge steps.
After a scoreless first half on Friday (Oct. 14) night at Ferguson Field, the Eagles unleashed three goals in a 17-minute stretch to complete a 3-0 win over visiting Northwood.
The Eagles (6-5-2, 5-3-2 GLIAC) have won two straight games and are carrying four-game unbeaten streak with their win on Friday. They climbed ahead of Findlay, into second place in the GLIAC South and are tied for fifth overall in the conference standings. The top six teams in the league advance to the GLIAC Tournament.
For much of Friday's game, it seemed like the game was destined for overtime. The game was played mostly in the middle of the field with neither team creating many scoring opportunities. Much of that can be attributed to the gusting winds blowing across the field that sent crosses and long balls awry.
After the 60-minute mark, the Eagles started creating dangerous chances. AU forced a corner kick in the 62nd minute. Freshman Lexi Gruich (Akron, Ohio/Copley) headed down the corner kick by sophomore Katelyn Peterson (Vermilion, Ohio). The ball fell to senior Chelsea Hyatt (Grove City, Ohio), who deposited her second goal of the season. It was the second assist for Gruich.
The Eagles consistently moved the ball on the offensive end from that point. Just 11 minutes later, senior Jamie Greene (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay) found sophomore Kelly Krispinsky (Ashland, Ohio) making a run in the box and Krispinsky scored into an open net. It was her first goal of the season and Greene's first assist.
AU put the game away in the 78th minute when sophomore Deanna Gundling (Concord, Ohio/Riverside) recovered her own rebound and scored her first goal of the season.
The Eagles were strong defensively for the fourth straight game. They have allowed just two goals in that stretch. Sophomore Rebecca Plescia (Parma, Ohio/Padua) stopped five shots in net for AU.
"That's been our key. If you don't give anything up the worst that can happen is we tie the game," said AU head coach Glenn Francis. "It starts in the back and works forward."
The teams were even on shots, 10-10, but AU put nine of its shots on goal. Corner kicks were also even, 4-4.
Rebecca Lipinski made six saves for the Timberwolves (4-8, 3-8 GLIAC).
The Eagles will look for the weekend sweep and their third straight win on Sunday (Oct. 16) when Saginaw Valley State visits Ferguson Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Eagles will celebrate Senior Day at halftime of the game.
AU
WSOC/BB
