Hicks Scores Four, No. 21 AU Women Rout Dragons At Home

It's still early in the 2025 season, but Ashland University senior forward Dani Hicks scoring more points in one game than she had in the entire campaign is rather noteworthy.
 
Hicks ended Thursday (Sept. 18) night's game at Ferguson Field vs. Tiffin with 10 points (four goals, two assists), as the No. 21-ranked Eagles toppled Tiffin, 7-0, in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
 
"We sent a message to the rest of the conference. When you drop a couple games, probably people think, 'Hey, Ashland's taken a step back,'" said Ashland head coach Cayleb Paulino. "I love the attitude and energy from the group today. There's some big-time contributions."
 
Ashland is 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the Great Midwest, while the Dragons are 1-2-1, 0-1.
 
Hicks had three goals for six points in four games this season prior to Thursday night.
 
"Dani and I have been talking about some things that she needed to correct finishing," Paulino noted, "and she's done an unbelievable job. Big-time players step up in big-time environments."
 
Ashland wasted no time getting on top, scoring in the third minute when senior midfielder Emily Pate recorded her second goal of the young campaign on a feed from Hicks. Hicks then scored her fourth goal of the fall in the seventh minute on a pass from senior defender Natalie Miskerik.
 
Then, in the 13^th minute, Hicks potted her second goal of the night and fifth of the season on a feed from freshman forward Tessa Blain. Hicks' first collegiate hat trick was completed in the 15^th minute, on an assist from junior defender Clara Richardson.
 
In the 20^th minute, sophomore forward Sofia Divine recorded her first goal as an Eagle, with Hicks picking up another helper.
 
Hicks struck again in the 66^th minute for her fourth goal of the night, with freshman forward Cece Craig picking up the assist.
 
With 39 career goals, Hicks moves up to fourth place on AU's all-time list. With 100 career points, she is up to fifth on that Ashland list.
 
In the 87^th minute, senior midfielder Keira Erling headed in her first collegiate tally, on an assist from sophomore midfielder Aubrey Steiner, to close Thursday night's scoring.
 
PERUSING THE BOX SCORE

• The Eagle goalkeeper combination of fifth-year Jaya Daniel (first half) and freshman Izzy Ezzone (second half, one save) combined for the second clean sheet of the season.
• AU out-shot Tiffin, 19-2, and the Eagles had seven of the game's eight corner kicks.
• Thirty-one Eagles played in Tuesday's game.
• "That second group got a goal in the second half," said Paulino. "They did a better job of putting pressure on Tiffin's backs. We're excited we won both halves."
• Thursday was Ashland's Morgan's Message game.

NEXT UP
Another home game on Saturday (Sept. 20) at 5 p.m. vs. Ursuline (2-2, 0-1).