AU men’s soccer wins 1-0 to move on to GMAC Championship

Eagles down Lake Erie Storm in rematch

Kimura+finished+the+season+as+the+top+goal+scorer+on+the+Eagles.

Jacob Hoffman

Kimura finished the season as the top goal scorer on the Eagles.

Cade Cracas, Sports & Digital Editor

The Ashland University men’s soccer team has done it again. Each week the Eagles have done one thing consistently, defy the odds.

After downing the Lake Erie Storm 1-0 in the semi-finals of the 2022 Great Midwest Athletic Conference post-season tournament, the Eagles have a date with the GMAC finals on Saturday, Nov. 5.

On Nov. 3, the Eagles matched up against a formidable opponent and did not disappoint as they took down the Lake Erie Storm 1-0.

In the first half, the Storm outshot the Eagles 5-3 with both goalkeepers having a solid start. Both teams also combined for 19 fouls heading into halftime.

In the second half, the Eagles knew they needed to put the pressure on, and they did.

They shot seven times finding the back of the net once in the one-goal win.

In the 73rd minute, the Storm would foul the Eagles inside the box leading to a penalty kick from 5th-year veteran Haruki Kimura.

Kimura, who was just announced as an All-Conference First Team selection, unloaded his right leg drilling the ball into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

With the pressure mounting the Storm were not able to rally back and tie the game up.

The game finished with a shutout for goalkeeper Ty Bowden. He made three saves in the win to go alongside his award as the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year.

The Eagles look to Saturday, Nov. 5, when they will take on the Cedarville Yellowjackets with kickoff set for 1 p.m. in the GMAC title game.