Eagles Storm Past Cardinals in Second Half, Start Season With Win

The Ashland University lacrosse team started its season with a 15-10 win over visiting Concordia Ann Arbor on Saturday (March 13) night at Ferguson Field.
 
The game was a physical contest that saw nine man-up situations, including six benefiting the Eagles. Ashland cashed in with goals on three of those opportunities and were solid all the way around in the first game in just over a calendar year.
 
It was also the first win for interim head coach Mike Jewell, who took over the program just weeks ago.
 
"I was very proud of the team tonight," Jewell said. "We had a game plan to stay calm and professional. They moved the ball and worked together.  We still have a lot to work on but I'm excited to get this first win and look forward to our next challenges."
 
Senior Sofia Michael got Ashland on the board within the first two minutes off a pass from freshman Madie Gash. Michael finished with seven goals in the game.
 
The Cardinals (1-1) then scored the next two goals before the Eagles ran off the next three – two from Michael and one from sophomore Natalie Sonntag – to take a 4-2 lead.
 
The teams then traded goals before the Cardinals established themselves with a three-goal run to take a 7-6 lead with 4:30 to play.
 
Then just before halftime, the Cardinals were issued a yellow card and freshman Emily Jewell scored from a free position shot to tie the game at 7 going into the intermission.
 
Ashland roared out of halftime with five straight goals to take an 12-7 lead. Michael scored three of them sandwiched between scores from Sonntag and Gash.
 
Sophomore Cora Wilson put her name on the scoresheet with the Eagles' final goal of the game as they closed out for the win.
 
The Eagles had a 34-30 edge in shots and led in draw controls, 15-11.
 
Freshman Jillian Rekulak recorded 10 saves and earned the victory in the cage.
 
Sonntag had three goals and Gash and Jewell had two each.
 
Cassandra Allard led the Cardinals with four goals and goalie Amanda Archer made six saves.
 
The Eagles will return to the field on Tuesday (March 16) at 7:30 p.m. at Walsh.