The old adage says records are made to be broken.
Ashland University's women's soccer team is swinging big in an attempt to break the NCAA Division II record for attendance, as, on Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Ferguson Field vs. Slippery Rock, the Eagles want more than 3,227 fans (the record set in the Wayne State, Neb., vs. Nebraska-Kearney game on Aug. 27, 2009) to come watch them take on The Rock.
"There's been an unbelievable movement in women's sports and the interest and the popularity," said Ashland head coach
Cayleb Paulino. "With our relationship with the community, I thought it would be a cool idea. I didn't know the magnitude of what the number would be and how we're going to fit them up at The Ferg, but why not try it and create an experience for our players that they won't forget?"
The players are looking forward to playing in front of, D-II record or not, potentially the best crowd in the 30-year history of the program.
Said junior defender
Adi Turnbaugh, a two-year starter from nearby Mansfield, Ohio, "It's going to give us more confidence and play the best we can, and, hopefully, come out with a good win. The community support means everything to us. Coming out and seeing that people want to come and watch our games gives us so much confidence."
For fifth-year goalkeeper
Jaya Daniel, coming to AU from NCAA Division III Christopher Newport, the Slippery Rock game will be just her second at Ferguson Field as an Eagle.
"Our team has big goals of winning a national championship this year," said Daniel, who won a D-III national title in 2021. "To win a national championship, you have to play in national championship environments. Anything to be prepared for that moment. We are really excited about that.
"We'll be set for that moment when it comes."
The game vs. The Rock also is the women's soccer team's Youth Night.
Fans can bring lawn chairs and blankets and sit on the hill at Ferguson Field. Fans can not sit on the track. All fans will come into the stadium through the main gate off Broad Street (the gates from the football stadium to Ferguson Field will not be open).
Since 2018, Ashland women's soccer is 98-20-19 (.785), and has played in the NCAA D-II postseason every non-COVID 19 pandemic year during that span. Since 2013, the Eagles have won at least 10 games in 11 non-pandemic seasons in a row.
"This group continues to do things that's never been done here before," Paulino said. "When you're successful like we have been and you've given back to the community and you do things the right way and people are attracted to your program, I think it speaks volumes to the support that this group has with people in the community and across campus.
"When you play Ohio State in one of your first games (at OSU at noon on Aug. 31 in an exhibition game), I think the pressure and expectation might be a little easier. When we get there, we're going to embrace what we create."
