Ashland University's men's soccer team had a chance to clinch the Great Midwest Athletic Conference regular-season championship on Saturday (Oct. 22) at Findlay, but that will have to wait due to a 2-1 Oiler win.
The Eagles are 10-5-1 overall and 9-4 in the Great Midwest, still tied with, but with the head-to-head tiebreaker over, Tiffin (9-3-3, 8-2-3). Ashland's last regular-season game of the fall is Tuesday (Oct. 25) vs. Lake Erie (7-6-3, 6-4-2 prior to Saturday night's home game vs. Malone) on Youth Day at Ferguson Field, while the Dragons end the regular year on Tuesday at home at 2 p.m. vs. Northwood (8-5-4, 7-5-1).
Regardless of Tuesday's outcomes, Ashland has earned a first-round bye for the 2022 Great Midwest Tournament.
Findlay is 8-7-2, 6-6-2.
Ashland is among those under consideration for a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs in Super Region 3 after the release of the first set of regional rankings on Wednesday (Oct. 19) afternoon.
WHAT HAPPENED
- A scoreless first half was followed by the Oilers denting the scoreboard in the 53rd minute, as Christian Palushaj assisted Brendan Ash.
- In the 73rd minute, however, senior forward Haruki Kimura did what he has done all season – score goals. His penalty kick goal knotted the game at 1, and was his team-leading ninth goal – and fifth PK goal - of 2022.
- Findlay, however, had the last word, as Nick McCracken scored a goal in the 80th minute for the final margin of victory. The assist went to Ash.
THE WRAP-UP
- Sophomore goalkeeper Ty Bowden made two saves on Saturday.
- Ashland out-shot Findlay, 17-9, and had the edge in corner kicks, 6-4.
- There were 30 fouls and four yellow cards between the two teams.
