It's one thing to say that Ashland University's No. 2-ranked women's soccer team has shut out 19 of 23 opponents so far during the 2023 season – two clean sheets away from tying the NCAA Division II record.
It's another thing to say the Eagles far and away lead the country in goals-against average at 0.17 (Texas Woman's is second at 0.36) – close to the D-II record of 0.158.
And it's another thing to say Ashland has saved 95.1 percent of shots against it this fall (second is Minnesota State at 90.1) – oh so close to that D-II single-season standard of 95.5.
But to explain how it's been done – both thanks to the program's intentional use of depth and in spite of key injuries – is another thing.
"I think it speaks volumes of our defensive principles and the buy-in from the group," said Ashland head coach
Cayleb Paulino. "It has been the next player up mentality from Day 1. Everyone here, we feel, has contributed to our program's success. It is about making the most of your opportunity when called upon."
The Eagles have not allowed a goal in eight straight games – or more than a month going into a third-round NCAA postseason game at Ferguson Field on Friday (Dec. 1) at 6 p.m. vs. No. RV Grand Valley State.
"As a group, we really prioritize defending and hold ourselves to a high standard," said freshman defender
Adi Turnbaugh. "Getting a shutout every game is important to us, and if we are scored on, it makes it feel like a loss almost."
Said junior goalkeeper
Maddie Dolenga, "We take a lot of pride in the work from all 11 players to keep a clean sheet. At the start of each week, we create a list of goals. Every week, we emphasize two shutouts. It's something we have focused on since the first day of practice this year."
Ashland's defensive success has come despite time missed by key players due to injury – senior defender
Maddy Grabowski missed the entire season, while parts of the campaign have been lost to senior goalkeeper
Mackenzie Simon and defenders
Hope Evans (junior),
Kali Funk (sophomore) and
Julianna Williams (junior).
"Our No. 1 priority in each game is a shutout, not just for the defense, but for the entire team," Williams said. "Keeping a clean sheet has become an expectation, and we have collectively risen to the challenge to meet that expectation.
"Our team's perseverance through injury has been a testament to who we are. We each have confidence that any player can fill any role, and this mindset has created success and belief for us. No one on the team plays for notoriety or recognition – we all play for the people next to us on the field and the team as whole. Every success is celebrated as a group because of the solid culture that we have created."
Filling a new role is what freshman midfielder-turned-defender
Clara Richardson has done in recent weeks. She has started and played in the back in each of the last six games after coming off the bench as a midfielder in her first 16 outings.
Richardson said, "One of the reasons we have been successful this year is the trust and confidence we have with each other. We have had some injuries this year, but the team has always been able to have a great response because it's just next man up. We never blink, because we know everyone on this team is always prepared and ready to go when they are called upon."
"She is a versatile player," Paulino said. "We had hit an unfortunate spell of injuries in that position and were trying to find players to fill that role. Very similar to Jules' experience from being converted from a forward position to outside back, we have done it before, which is why I think we felt comfortable giving Clara the opportunity there, and she has done a tremendous job."
Junior midfielder
Merrik Mihalek earned 2023 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors, and she, along with Turnbaugh and junior defender
Myah Giordullo, have started all 23 games to date in 2023.
"We knew as a staff Adi could make an impact in our program," Paulino said of his rookie defender. "What kind of impact, that is completely up to the players. Each week, she is building confidence in her game and growing as a player. As you can imagine, with the players we had returning, it may not have been the expectation of her contributing to the magnitude that she has from Day 1, but she has taken her opportunity and run with it."
"I think it shows exactly what AUWS represents," said Giordullo, who has been both a center back and wing back this season. "We have such a deep and strong bench. Everyone is so great in their own way, and I think it shows that anyone is up for a challenge, and you can either walk away from toughness or face it straight on.
"Defense has always been my favorite position and group of people on the field. I love saving the day with my teammates and making it hard for teams to score. I take so much pride in being the wall of the team with my girls while the others take care of their own jobs."
Dolenga (6-0-3, 0.11 goals-against average, .976 save percentage) and Simon (13-0-1, 0.22 goals-against average, .927 save percentage) both would break the previous program record for single-season GAA, and if she had enough minutes played, Dolenga would have a new NCAA Division II GAA standard. Her current save percentage would shatter the current D-II record.
"I would not be able to do my job without the girls in front of me," she said. "Without their grit and discipline, I would be put under a lot more stress. We emphasize working for the person next to you, and I am grateful for the work these girls put in every game to limit my touches on the ball."
This year's Eagle women's soccer team has gone further than any other in the program in 19 years, and can become the first in program history with 20 wins with a victory on Friday night. Ashland also is one of only three remaining undefeated sides in D-II, along with Saint Rose (20-0-1) and Lenoir-Rhyne (16-0-5).
Giordullo – "This is everything I dreamed of and more. I am so grateful to have such an amazing group of girls playing with me, and I couldn't be more excited. It's a feeling I will hold into forever."
Turnbaugh – "We are super excited, we have worked so hard to get to this point, and as a team, I believe we are ready for the challenge."
Richardson – "I'm very excited to be able to still compete in the NCAA tournament, but it's not a surprise we are here. We all know we are supposed to be here. I think we are having a great week of practice and preparation for Friday, and we are all ready to go."
