On a frigid Saturday afternoon (May 2), at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field, the home of the Ashland University football team, the Eagle lacrosse team unveiled a high octane run-and-shoot offense that would catch the attention of AU football coach Doug Geiser.
AU won its 12th consecutive game, beating Tiffin for the second time this season, 22-6. The win carried more significance than most because it came in the G-MAC championship game. This is Ashland's second consecutive G-MAC tournament championship. The win brings with it an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II playoff field. AU made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament last year. This year's list of playoff invitations goes out tomorrow (May 3).
Ashland hasn't stumbled since losing to Northern Michigan, 13-12 on Mar. 13. This is the second consecutive season the Eagles have been undefeated in conference action. A year ago, Ashland upended Findlay in the G-MAC championship game.
Against Tiffin, Ashland led in shots, 40-15 and in shots on goal, 22-7. The Eagles were in front, 5-1 after one quarter and led, 14-2 at halftime. That spread could have been larger at the break had the Eagles not hit the post five times.
In the second quarter the Eagles outscored the Dragons (11-7), 9-1. The game turned with 9:59 left in the first half when AU's Tori Wanat sent a missile past Tiffin goalkeeper Sarah Hart from in front. Hart had no chance to stop that howitzer, which made the score 9-2. The Eagles were in control the rest of the way.
Wanat finished the contest with four goals and an assist. Rachel Crumbacher had three goals and two assists and Ashley Drexler contributed three goals. Lilly Cain and Ashley Fisher had two goals and two assists each and Sidney Voss and Nataley Blackburn added two goals apiece. Blackburn's line included an assist.
Ashland's defense also excelled in this encounter. Goalkeeper Annie Duncan (two saves) was superb and her front line gave her plenty of help. In the early going, that back line helped drain any momentum the Dragons tried to build. That solid play, plus Ashland's ability to open up the field and get into an up-and-down running game, sealed the verdict.
While the Eagles have two G-MAC trophies to put on their shelf, Eagle fans should recall that life hasn't always been this way for the Purple and Gold. This is the program's eighth year of existence. There were early struggles and as recently as 2021, Ashland finished 1-12. The Eagles didn't break the .500 mark until 2024.
What changed was the arrival of Lauren Simko, this year's G-MAC Coach of the Year and her ability to recruit a talented, athletic nucleus that turned the tide. As the final seconds ticked down
on Saturday, the AU bench serenaded the senior class, thanking them for what they've given the program.
The Eagles were fourth in last week's NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings. The playoffs will begin on Thursday (May 7).
