Lewis' Lone Goal Gives Eagles Fourth Straight Win

The Ashland University women's soccer team was solid defensively in recording its second clean sheet of the weekend and junior Faith Lewis provided the lone goal in the 76^th minute as the Eagles beat Parkside, 1-0, on Sunday (April 11) afternoon at Ferguson Field.
 
Ashland (5-1) has now won four straight games heading into a showdown with Grand Valley State next Friday.
 
The Eagles did not have the same connectivity and spark they brought to their 3-0 win over Purdue Northwest on Friday, but asserted themselves throughout the game and limited the chances for Parkside (0-5-2), which managed just six shots in the game.
 
"We were a little hungover off the excitement from Friday when we had a really good performance," said head coach Taylor Clarke. "Today, we started really well in the first 10 minutes then took our foot off the gas. Against good teams, that can make things difficult."
 
The teams were even in shots in the first half, 5-5, but the Eagles took the first nine attempts at goal in the second half as they got back to working in the opposition final third.
 
The pressure finally paid off with 14 minutes to go in regulation as freshman Jessie Thomas won the ball off a Parkside player the midfield and played a quick ball to Lewis, who beat a defender and drove her shot into the top right corner.
 
It was Lewis' second goal of the season.
 
"We told them they needed to get shots off and needed to be dangerous," Clarke said. "We were looking for goals. Faith picked her head up, she was confident. We told them to be confident in the final third. Bet on yourself and take chances. She did that."
 
The Eagles saw the game out from there as senior keeper Hannah Lee made four saves in the game. Ashland allowed just five total shots overall in two games against the Pride and Rangers this weekend.
 
"We've known we've had to grind out results and with this type of momentum and enthusiasm going forward should lead to positive things ahead," Clarke said.
 
The Eagles will now play Grand Valley State on Friday (April 16) at 7 p.m. in Allendale, Mich. The Lakers (3-0-1) have not played since March 28 due to COVID-19 protocols.