Senior midfielder
Natalie Sonntag was one of six Ashland University women's lacrosse seniors who were honored in Senior Day festivities prior to Friday's (April 14) game against Lake Erie at Ferguson Field.
Sonntag made sure all eyes were on her in the early part of Friday's contest, as well, as she became the Eagles' career leader in both goals and points in AU's 21-5 win over the Storm.
Ashland improves to 8-6 overall and 4-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, a half-game behind Walsh for first place in the league, after its sixth win in the last seven games. Lake Erie is 3-8, 0-5.
Sonntag posted four goals and three assists on Friday, giving her a program-best 107 goals and 125 points, passing
Sofia Michael in both categories.
NOTABLES
- Freshman midfielder Lauren Hinders came off the bench for two goals and three assists and a career-high five points. Senior attacker Emily Jewell scored four goals, and freshman attacker Rachel Crumbacher added two goals and two assists.
- Senior goalkeeper Jillian Rekulak made six saves and recorded nine ground balls in the victory. Rekulak came into the day as the NCAA Division II leader in ground balls with 59.
- Ashland out-shot Lake Erie by a 37-14 count, and the Eagles forced 18 turnovers.
QUOTABLES
- "They have definitely laid the foundation for where the program is now," said Ashland head coach Lauren Simko of the senior class, "and helped pave the way for the future. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be on the trajectory that we are currently on."
- "She has definitely earned it. She works really hard," Simko said of Sonntag. "And she's very humble. She shares the ball well."
- "It feels awesome. It's been a long road at Ashland," Sonntag said. "This year, we're a different team, so I can only thank every other player on the field."
- Said Jewell, "It feels amazing. Things are finally on the up and looking positive from here on out. We've really turned it around."
- Along with Sonntag, Rekulak and Jewell, AU seniors honored on Friday were defenders Tori Sharlow and Maddie Colahan, and attacker Isabelle Pisani.
UP NEXT
Ashland will finish the home regular-season schedule on Thursday (April 20) at 5 p.m. vs. Tiffin (5-8, 1-3).
