No. 2 AU Women Blank Saints, Move On To League Tournament Semis

Two goals in two minutes at the start of the second half were good enough for the No. 2-ranked Ashland University women's soccer team to defeat Thomas More, 2-0, on Saturday (Nov. 4) night at Ferguson Field in a 2023 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal.
 
The Eagles, the two-time defending Great Midwest Tournament champions, improve to 16-0-3 overall – giving AU its most wins in a single season since 2004 (19). Ashland will move on to the tourney semifinal against Cedarville (15-3-1) on Thursday (Nov. 9) at 1:30 p.m. at Northwood.
 
Thomas More's season ends at 8-9-2.
 
Following a scoreless first half, Ashland dented the scoreboard in the 46^th minute when freshman midfielder Ella Schneider's second goal of the season found the back of the net. Sophomore forward Dani Hicks picked up her team-best sixth assist of 2023.
 
"In the second half, you can't ask for a better start in getting those goals early," said Ashland head coach Cayleb Paulino. "I think the mentality from our front players was much different in the beginning of the second half to the first."
 
Then, just two minutes later in the 48^th minute, junior midfielder Merrik Mihalek took a penalty kick and recorded her seventh goal of the season for the final margin of victory.
 
Junior goalkeeper Maddie Dolenga made six saves in picking up her third solo clean sheet of 2023 – and the team's 15^th overall. Dolenga is 3-0-2 with a 0.19 goals-against average in a backup role.
 
"We talk about making the most of your opportunity, and Maddie's been patiently waiting for her time, and she's found a way to help organize the group and make things difficult," Paulino said. "Proud of her, and the players in front of her."
 
Dolenga said, "Cayleb has set the mentality from early on that it's next man up on this team. We set an environment every single day that no matter who's in the game is going to be the best player on the field.
 
"Coach Cayleb has always talked to us about the culture on this team, communication, being a good teammate. I think what's so special is, it's probably the most winningest team we've had in a while, but it's also the closest."
 
POST-GAME NUGGETS

• Both the Eagles and Saints took 13 shots, and AU had a slight 6-5 edge in corner kicks.

 
UP NEXT
The semifinal on Thursday at Northwood.
 
"We've been there before, and I think that's something comfortable for us," Paulino said of winning in the postseason on the road.