Huskies Suffer 2-0 Loss to Ashland
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ashland (9-2-3, 6-2-1) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
|
Michigan Tech (9-3-2, 5-2-2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team came up short in a 2-0 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference clash Friday night at Sherman Field against Ashland University. The Huskies and Eagles are both ranked in the latest NCAA Division II Midwest Region Poll. Tech came into the match at No. 6 and Ashland at No. 5.
"I thought it was a good match and we are both very good teams," Michigan Tech Head Coach Michelle Jacob said. "They played a good game and I thought we did as well. I said to the girls that it was disappointing to lose, but we have a lot to be proud of. We hung with them and we'd be happy to see them again and get another opportunity to play them."
Ashland (9-2-3, 6-2-1 GLIAC) had the first crack at the net Friday night with just 11 seconds gone by after the opening kickoff. Morgan Bittengle's shot from outside the box was deflected by the Michigan Tech (9-3-2, 5-2-2 GLIAC) defense. In the 7th minute, junior goalie Kirsen Hudak made her first save of the match for the Huskies when she turned away a blast by Bridget McEldowney.
The Huskies were able to mount their first attack of the night when senior Madeline Faust challenged Ashland goalie Courtney Barker in the 15th minute. A few minutes later, senior Jessica Splittgerber had a free kick just go high of the net, keeping the contest scoreless.
Deijah Swihart would break the deadlock in the 25th minute with the first of her two goals in the match. Swihart tucked the ball into the lower right corner of the net after a redirect from teammate Kelsey McKernan to make it a 1-0 score. McKernan would be credited with the assist on the play.
The 1-0 edge for the Eagles would remain intact through the remainder of the half. Hudak made a couple more saves to keep it a one goal game and Splittgerber nearly tied the contest in the 44th minute if not for a save by Barker.
Michigan Tech went on the attack early in the second half and in the 47th minute junior Darby McLaurin blasted another ball that was turned away by Barker. The Huskies kept the pressure on when a Jacqueline Mielke kick went just wide left in the 52nd minute and then Barker had to make a diving stop on another Mielke strike in the 65th minute.
Unfortunately, Tech was unable to slip a shot past Barker and the Ashland defense while Swihart was able to tack on an insurance goal for the Eagles in the final minute. Her shot cleared the far post from the corner of the six-yard box leading to the final tally of 2-0.
Mielke and Splittgerber shared the team lead in total shots for the Huskies with three looks at the net each. Total shots for both teams were even at 11 apiece and the corner kicks were also identical at 2-2. Hudak played all 90 minutes in net for the Huskies and made five saves.
Swihart powered the Ashland offense with her eighth and ninth goals of the season. She attempted four total shots and three of them were on goal. Barker logged every minute for the Eagles in front of the net and recorded six saves in the stat sheet.
Michigan Tech will be back on the pitch Sunday afternoon when the team hosts Tiffin University at Sherman Field. The kickoff is slated for 12:00 p.m.
