Ashland University's men's soccer team wasn't just happy to be back at Ferguson Field.
Playing just their third home game of the season on Wednesday (Sept. 28) against Kentucky Wesleyan, the Eagles extended their winning streak to four games following a 2-0 decision over the Panthers.
Ashland is 5-3-1 overall and 4-2 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, moving into third place in a tight top of the league table.
"You can tell, they're the type of team, they are much-improved, and they will stay in games," said Ashland head coach
Nick Roberts of the Panthers. "At halftime, nil-nil, I told the lads, 'look, they're going to stick around, but we have to get a goal here.'
"It wasn't great. It wasn't the best we've played this year, but we're still learning, and the good thing is, we won at home."
KWC is 6-3-1, 3-2-1, and saw its three-game win streak snapped.
The Eagles' last four-game win streak came last season, and they are 4-0 all-time against the Panthers.
WHAT HAPPENED
- Following a scoreless first half, junior forward Matthew Roberts potted his first goal as an Eagle in the 57th minute on a 20-yard laser past the goalkeeper. Roberts' goal was unassisted.
- Then, in the 70th minute, sophomore midfielder Sam Jordan put in his first collegiate goal on a long tally assisted by both senior forward Haruki Kimura and senior defender Oliver Whaley.
THE WRAP-UP
- Ashland out-shot KWC by a 17-7 count.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Ty Bowden recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season with two saves, and did so against a Panther team which came into the contest with 30 goals in nine games.
- "The confidence is very high, but we're going to get complacent in any way," Bowden said. "We're not taking anything away from them. My back line…they're the reason I got the clean sheet. It all goes to the back line."
- "We're very young (in the back), but they're good," Roberts said. "We keep taking one game at a time, Cup final mentality each game, and we'll see where we end up."
- The Eagles and Panthers combined for 23 fouls and eight yellow cards.
UP NEXT
Ashland's men will be back at home on Saturday (Oct. 1) at 3 p.m. against Trevecca Nazarene (3-5, 1-4). Prior to the game, the
Danny Krispinsky Memorial Shelters will be dedicated (
PRESS RELEASE).
"I think the chemistry is a lot higher now than it was, obviously, at the beginning of the season," Bowden said. "Now, we're halfway through the season, and I think everyone is pretty accustomed to everyone."
