A clean sheet and a second-half scoring binge lifted the No. 20-ranked Ashland University women's soccer team to a 4-0 win over Kentucky Wesleyan at Ferguson Field on Thursday (Oct. 22) night.
 
The Eagles run their 2026 record to 12-2-2 overall and 10-1-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference following a fourth consecutive victory – and they move into first place in the conference table with 31 points. Through Thursday's league play, AU is one point ahead of second-place Cedarville (30), and four points in front of both Thomas More and Findlay (27) with two regular-season games to go.
 
"We had to try to create space. I thought it got crowded, especially in the first half," said Eagle head coach Cayleb Paulino. "I think they did a really good job of handling the pressure. They're a little different kind of defending against us."
 
Ashland got the scoring started on Thursday night in the ninth minute, when freshman forward Maria Mayer went in for her second goal of the fall. The assist went to sophomore forward Cece Craig, her team-leading fifth of 2026.
 
Junior midfielder Sofia Divine took the penalty kick that sophomore forward Tessa Blain drew in the 53^rd minute, and connected for her fourth goal of the season to make it a 2-0 contest.
 
In the 65^th minute, the Eagles went up 3-0 when Craig's second goal of the campaign went in following a rebound. Then, in the 67^th minute, Mayer turned in her first collegiate brace for her third goal of 2026 on a feed from senior defender Clara Richardson (second of the season).
 
"She's been out all year, and we finally got her back, and we're really excited about what she brings to the table and what she's been able to do in the last three games," Paulino said of Mayer. "We're excited to continue to build off of that."
 
Ashland took all 26 shots in Thursday's contest, as well as all 16 corner kicks. Sophomore goalkeeper Avery Alves was in the net for her first solo shutout as an Eagle – also AU's 11^th shutout of 2026.
 
The Eagles have won all seven meetings all-time with the Panthers (0-13-3, 0-9-3).
 
Ashland will play again at Ferguson Field on Senior Day, Saturday (Oct. 24) at 3:30 p.m. vs. Thomas More.
 
"It's a big game," Paulino said. "Both teams are ranked in the region, and we're excited to honor our seniors on Saturday."