The non-conference beginning of the 2022 Ashland University women's soccer schedule was beefed up on purpose – so the Eagles could get used to an NCAA postseason-type slate early.
Ashland, receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches National Preseason Poll, traveled to No. 17-ranked Ferris State on Friday (Sept. 2) and earned a 1-0 regional victory against its former conference rival. The Eagles are 1-2, and the Bulldogs are 0-2.
The victory is Ashland's first win in Big Rapids, Mich., since 2019.
WHAT HAPPENED
- Sophomore forward McKinley Mendenhall, the reigning Great Midwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, scored her goal of 2022 in the 49th minute. Freshman forward/midfielder Dani Hicks picked up her first collegiate assist, and both Mendenhall and Hicks have a goal and a helper in the early going of the season.
THE WRAP-UP
- Senior goalkeeper Bri Rogers made three saves in earning her first shutout of the campaign. Rogers now has nine shutouts in 19 games as an Eagle.
- Ferris State had a 16-12 shots advantage, but the Eagles took six of the contest's eight corner kicks.
UP NEXT
Ashland will play its first game at Ferguson Field in the new season against another team receiving votes in the national preseason poll, Indianapolis (1-1-1), on Sunday (Sept. 4) at 1 p.m.
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WSOC/DS
