Box Score What flies in the business world holds true on the soccer field. A failure to make a good first impression can be costly.
The Ashland University women's soccer team failed to convert some early opportunities Sunday (Sept. 30) at Ferguson Field and that came back to haunt the Eagles in a 2-0 loss to Northwood.
Over the first 15 minutes the Eagles put consistent pressure on the Northwood goal. With 25 minutes left in the first half, AU's Alexandra Kovarik (Medina, Ohio) narrowly missed finding the back of a net on a shot from deep in the box. At that point, it seemed like a matter of time before the Eagles would break through and convert.
Unfortunately for Ashland, the game's momentum began to turn just before the break. Then, at 53:41, NU's Megan Riley won a battle from several AU players on the right side. AU keeper Rebecca Plescia (Parma, Ohio/Padua) came out of the goal and Riley lofted the ball over her head and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Northwood added an insurance goal at 67:29 when Melissa Seymour scored. In the second half, the Timberwolves led in shots, 7-3. The visitors ended the game with a 14-8 edge in shots. Of that total, eight shots were on goal.
Julie Shields was the winning netminder. She was called upon to make three saves.
The loss leaves the Eagles with a 2-8-0 record, 1-5 in GLIAC play. This was the second game in a five-game home stand for AU.
Northwood is 3-5-1 and 3-2-1 in the conference.
AU will host Ohio Dominican on Wednesday (Oct. 3, 7 p.m.).
AU
WSOC/ALK
