On Thursday, August 31, the Ashland University men’s soccer team competed in their first game of the season, with it also being the team’s home opener. The Eagles went up against No. 5 nationally ranked Charleston University.

Even though the Eagles were ready to take on the challenge of the 5th-ranked side, it did not take long for the Golden Eagles to get their season off to a good start.

Golden Eagles Junior Forward, Stafford Dowling scored an unlikely in the first few minutes of the first half. An initial ball was deflected off Eagle goalkeeper Ty Bowden, before finding its way into the back netting.

After letting in an early goal, the Eagles quickly attempted to rebound by putting pressure on the Golden Eagles. The pressure would ultimately only cause problems for them as just minutes later another goal would be scored.

About 22 minutes into the first half, junior defender, Tristen Rose, scored the second goal of the contest, assisted by first-year defender Caio Moraes.

The offense did not stop for the Golden Eagles as Bowden would commit a foul in the box, which would lead sophomore forward, Joao Belmudes to score on a penalty shot just minutes after Rose scored for Charleston.

Even though it seemed like the Ashland Eagles were down and out, they did not give up the fight. They continued to pressure the Golden Eagles.

With a free kick outside Charleston’s goalie box, it sailed just over the crossbar and moments later another shot barely grazed the left post.

At the half, the Golden Eagles would lead the Eagles 3-0.

In the second half, the Eagles would look for answers in hopes of making their way onto the score sheet. With just eight minutes played in the second half, Dowling would commit a foul on fifth-year player Oliver Whaley inside the goalie box, which ended up costing the Golden Eagles the shutout.

Whaley would go on to connect on the penalty kick and give the Eagles their first goal of the season.

The Eagles gained a bit more confidence and were able to bring more intensity, but with time dwindling down the comeback looked unlikely.

They would get one more opportunity as junior forward Riki Soto connected on a header off a corner kick, which would have made the game 3-2, but just barely missed the side of the goal.

The final score of the game finished with the Golden Eagles winning, 3-1.

The Eagles look to bounce back with a win in the team’s next outing when they host Millersville University on Sunday, Sept. 3, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.