The women’s soccer team continued their stellar defensive play over the weekend, recording two shutouts and earning a win and a draw against Northwood and Saginaw Valley State. Ashland has only given up one goal in their last four games, a stretch that has seen them climb to third place in the conference and second in the GLIAC South Division. Leading the way has been sophomore goalkeeper Rebecca Plescia with her back line of sophomores Katelyn Peterson and Melissa Hill, senior Savannah Garside and junior Rachel Luebke.

Northwood (4-8, 3-8 GLIAC)

After a scoreless first half, the Eagles used a barrage of second half goals to defeat the Northwood Timberwolves 3-0 in GLIAC action Friday. Senior Chelsea Hyatt and sophomores Kelly Krispinsky and Deanna Gundling scored the goals for Ashland.

The first half was uneventful, with only five shots being attempted. The play of the game came in the 62nd minute, when Peterson sent in a corner kick that was headed down by freshman Lexi Gruich. The ball fell to Hyatt, who was able to tap it into the back of the net while facing away from the goal.

The second goal came 11 minutes later, when Jamie Greene dribbled down the right side of the field and found a wide open Krispinsky in the middle of the field. She put the shot past the keeper for her first goal of the season.

“It was a perfect ball from her and I just slid it right in,” Krispinsky said.

The final goal of the game came in the 78th minute when a shot deflected off the goalkeeper to Gundling, who put another shot off the keeper, got it back and was able to compose herself and slide it in for her first goal of the year.

Ashland was able to keep Northwood from scoring despite five shots on goal from the Timberwolves. The Eagles put nine of their ten shots on frame.

Saginaw Valley State (5-6-2, 4-6-2 GLIAC)

Sunday’s game began a five hour day of scoreless soccer at Ferguson Field, which was great for defenders, goalies and coaches in attendance but not much entertainment for the fans in the stands. The highlight of the day was the Senior Day ceremony at halftime for the Eagles’ six seniors.

“I think everybody was out there trying to play for the seniors,” Chelsea Hyatt said. “We gave it our all. Not the result we wanted, but not a loss so I guess we’ll take it.”

On a cold, blustery day, the wind wreaked havoc on what both teams were able to do. In the first half and the first overtime, the Cardinals had the wind at their backs and forced Plescia to make a couple of tough saves for the Eagles.

“It was tough, because the ball was getting held up in the air so I had to come out and judge it,” Plescia said.

When Ashland had the wind in the second half and the second overtime, they dominated the proceedings and held a 13-1 advantage in shots. Overall, they outshot the Cardinals 17-5 as the defense worked their way to a second consecutive clean sheet.

“Our defense is working their butts off out there,” Plescia said. “We are working together and communicating well, which is a big key.”

Ashland will play their home finale 5 p.m. Thursday at Ferguson Field.