There's just something about the postseason that turns the collective light on for Ashland University's men's soccer team.
The Eagles (7-8-4) took a 3-0 decision from Walsh on Saturday (Nov. 4) in a 2023 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal, and the defending conference tournament champions will advance to this year's semifinals on Thursday (Nov. 9) at 1:30 p.m. against and at Tiffin (12-2-3).
"We played well today," said Ashland head coach
Nick Roberts. "We've been very inconsistent as a team all year, so I told them you have to win to keep playing. They played well today."
Ashland, now 3-0 all-time in the Great Midwest Tournament, is 2-0-1 against the Cavaliers (8-6-4) this season.
Senior midfielder
Vander Rocha scored the Eagles' first two goals of the contest – in the fifth minute on an assist from junior defender
Aurel Veit, and in the 38
th minute on a feed from junior forward
Sam Jordan. Rocha's team lead in goals was extended to 11, while Veit and Jordan each picked up their first helpers of 2023.
"He's got to be one of the best players in the league," Roberts said of Rocha. "He's doing it for us. It's incredible, really."
Said Rocha, "We stepped on the field and we really wanted it, and we got it. I want to keep playing. We know Tiffin's a good team. We want to go there and get our trophy back. Last year is in the past. It's a different team."
Then, in the 89
th minute, Jordan potted his third goal of the campaign when Rocha fed him for his fifth assist of the fall.
POST-GAME NUGGETS
- That was more than enough offense for junior goalkeeper Ty Bowden, who improved to 6-4-2 after making five saves for his third shutout of the season.
- "He's an experience goalkeeper. He was the (conference) Goalkeeper of the Year last year," Roberts said. "Ty, he's big-time for us. A goalkeeper of his experience gives you confidence."
- Ashland had a 16-12 shots advantage, and a 9-3 corner kicks advantage.
UP NEXT
Thursday's tournament semifinal in Tiffin.
