The men’s soccer team is now 2-7-2 (1-4-1 GLIAC) after two more crippling defeats over the weekend to Northwood and Saginaw Valley State. The Eagles’ road trip to central Michigan was unkind, as they gave up five goals while scoring just one against the top two teams in the GLIAC. The losses dropped them to sixth in the conference standings.

Northwood (5-1, 3-1 GLIAC)

Ashland continued their seven-game road trip Friday, travelling to Midland, Mich. to take on the Northwood Timberwolves. The Eagles were 0-3-1 away from home coming in and came out on the wrong end again, losing 3-0.

D.J. Evans opened the scoring in the 15th minute for the Timberwolves on an assist from Matthew Howitt. Northwood took a 1-0 lead into halftime, despite the fact that the Eagles forced goalkeeper Matt Renouf to make four saves.

Northwood extended their lead in the 48th minute when Liam Machugh unleashed a bomb from 35 yards. Keith Lough put the game out of reach in the 81st minute on a header that came off a cross from Mitchell Brent.

The Timberwolves outshot the Eagles 16-8. Junior Andrew Over led the Eagles with three shots on goal while senior Kenny Hewitt put two on frame. Junior goalkeeper Justin Nolan made six saves.

Saginaw Valley State (5-1-2, 2-1-1 GLIAC)

The Eagles made the short drive from Midland to Saginaw Sunday to face the SVSU Cardinals. Ashland lost 2-1 on a goal that came less than a minute after senior Kenny Hewitt tied the game.

Tyler Channell gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute when he beat an AU defender and slotted a shot past Nolan and into the back of the net.

The score remained 1-0 going into halftime, despite SVSU holding a 9-5 advantage on shots in the first half. Hewitt found the equalizer in the 53rd minute when he received a cross from junior Mitch Deyhle and finished it at the back post.

The Cardinals answered quickly, however, finding the back of the net just 49 seconds later on a shot by Laurence Patterson.

Saginaw Valley held on to the lead despite Ashland outshooting them 8-5 in the second half. Nolan made five saves for the Eagles.

Ashland has one game left on their seven game road trip, a rematch with Lake Erie Sunday. Lake Erie won the last meeting between the teams 2-0 in the last game the Eagles played at Ferguson Field before hitting the road. Ashland returns home October 14 when they play Northwood.