Ashland University's women's soccer team never has lost back-to-back Great Midwest Athletic Conference regular-season games.
 
The No. 19-ranked Eagles were determined that it wasn't going to happen on Thursday (Oct. 8) at Ferguson Field, as they topped Northwood, 2-1. Now at 9-2-2 overall and 7-1-1 in the Great Midwest, Ashland moves into first place in the league – pending Thomas More's result later on Thursday at home vs. Walsh.
 
"Getting results is hard in the conference, especially when you play a team a second time," said Eagle head coach Cayleb Paulino. "Today, we generated a lot more chances. That was one thing for this week, compared to the games that we've dropped, we have to figure out more ways to generate opportunities."
 
Ashland had a 21-5 shots advantage, and a 12-5 corner kicks lead, on Thursday.
 
Eight minutes into the game, a corner kick from junior midfielder Sofia Divine went right to senior midfielder Haley Hightower, who potted her fourth goal of the season. Divine picked up her team-lead-tying fourth assist of the fall.
 
"That's what we were missing in the other games, is we weren't generating enough set-piece opportunities," Paulino said. "Good for us to put us in position to create more chances."
 
The Timberwolves (5-6-1, 4-3-1) knotted the game late in the first half, as, in the 39^th minute, Madelyn Boyd scored on assists from Mari Jackson and Ella Boyd.
 
Ashland regained the advantage in the 52^nd minute, as a Northwood turnover resulted in an unassisted goal by sophomore midfielder Karleigh Cress – her second tally of the campaign.
 
"We moved her up the field this week," Paulino noted. "She can create some dangerous chances."
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Izzy Ezzone made a pair of saves in the victory.
 
The Eagles are 10-0-6 in their last 16 meetings with the Timberwolves.
 
Ashland has a week between games, and will go to Walsh at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 15.