AU women’s soccer gets first win of the season, defeat Lewis 2-0
Senior Sydney Wright battling for the ball
September 7, 2019
The Ashland University women’s soccer team was able to defeat the Lewis University Flyers in a 2-0 shutout Friday night, securing the Eagles first win of the 2019 season.
The Eagles offense was able to get a goal just 18 minutes into the first half, with a score by senior forward Deijah Swihart on an assist by junior midfielder Nadya Boualany.
The Eagles offense did not stop there, scoring with only 10-minutes remaining in the first half via a pass from sophomore defender Mary Grace Haney to sophomore midfielder Stephanie Slader for the second score of the game for the Eagles.
While the offense for the Eagles secured the scores, the Eagle defense was able to hold the Flyers to five total shots and three shots-on-goal. Junior goalkeeper Hannah Lee was credited with the win, accumulating three saves on the three shots-on-goal.
The Flyers offense was unable to put up any scores in 90-minutes of play, while also committing eight penalties in the ball-game.
Sophomore goalkeeper Lucy Clark was credited with the loss for the Flyers, with three saves on five shots-on-goal and allowing two goals.
“We really challenged them to come out strong,” head coach Taylor Clarke said. “I was really excited with the level of energy and the way that we started. To be able to get two goals and a shutout is always a great feeling.”
The match-up with the Flyers on Friday night, also saw the return of forward Deijah Swihart for the Eagles. The senior missed the last 12 games of the season for the Eagles last year, last playing on Sept. 21.
Senior Deijah Swihart on the field during the game
“It was amazing,” Swihart said following her return. “It felt good to be back on the field with my teammates.”
“She’s a difference-maker, in terms of the leadership she brings,” Clarke stated. “Obviously, you always want to see people fight through difficult times. Our girls did a phenomenal job of helping her through that.”
Swihart scored the first goal of the game for the Eagles and was assisted by Nadya Boualany, something that Swihart stated the two have worked on.
“We’ve been practicing – far post, far post – and if she shoots it I’m going to be here at the far post,” Swihart said. “But I really don’t know what happened. I just stuck my foot out to be honest and it happened to go in.”
The Eagles next game will see them travelling to Tiffin University to take on the Dragons on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 1 p.m.