AU Women Rally With Two Second-Half Goals, Top UIndy At Home

Bailey Clark has made it a habit of scoring game-winning goals in her time as an Eagle.
 
Ashland University's women's soccer team rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit on Sunday (Sept. 4) at Ferguson Field, scoring two second-half goals for a 2-1 decision over Indianapolis. The Eagles (2-2) and Greyhounds (1-2-1) both were receiving votes in the preseason United Soccer Coaches national poll.
 
Clark's game-winning goal on Sunday was her fifth as an Eagle, and her fourth in the last 13 games dating back to last fall.
 
Ashland has won two in a row after losing two games in Florida to start 2022.
 
"We have a brand-new group, a lot of players playing different roles," said Ashland head coach Cayleb Paulino. "It's getting used to that environment, and playing four teams that could make the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I've been pleased with the response since Florida."
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• The first half was a tight one with a lot of midfield play, as both teams had just three shots in the game's first 45 minutes. The difference, however, was a Greyhounds tic-tac-toe free kick from Madison Theis to Elena Espinoza to Maria Herrero, who scored the goal in the 32^nd minute.
• Ashland knotted the game at 1 at the 56-minute mark on a long top-shelf strike from fifth-year midfielder Georgia Nagucki, her first goal as an Eagle. Both sophomore midfielder Merrik Mihalik and sophomore forward McKinley Mendenhall assisted on the tally.
• "That's the experience of a kid that's a fifth-year," Paulino noted. "We've been waiting for Georgia to have one of those. It was a great first goal for her at Ashland."
• Said Clark of Nagucki, "She's my roommate. I'm so glad we had a transfer as great as her come in. It was really big for the program. It was an amazing shot from outside."
• Then, in the 79^th minute, Clark potted her first goal of the fall on a feed from Nagucki – the goal that would be the eventual game-winner.
• "We don't want to end in a tie at Ferguson Field," Clark said. "I'm glad I could pull through for my team."
• "Bailey has been a little bit frustrated, not being on the scoresheet the first few games," said Paulino. "Big-time players step up in big-time moments, and we know what we're going to get from Bailey."

 
THE WRAP-UP

• Ashland out-shot Indy, 8-5, and the Eagles had the game's only two corner kicks.
• Senior goalkeeper Bri Rogers made two saves in the victory.

 
UP NEXT
Ashland will begin Great Midwest Athletic Conference play on Thursday (Sept. 8) at 5 p.m. at Walsh (2-1).