Huskies halted in overtime 2-1

ASHLAND, Ohio. – Makenzie Kelly headed in the winning goal as Ashland edged Michigan Tech 2-1 in overtime in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference soccer on a brisk, flaky evening at Ferguson Field. Though the Huskies held a decided 17-5 shots on goal advantage, Nadya Boulaney looped a pass in traffic and found Kelly in the middle of the box in the sudden death extra period. Michigan Tech (1-2-1) fell in the 102^nd minute of play and suffered their second straight road defeat. Ashland (2-1-0) rebounded from a recent loss at Ferris State.

"It's easy to focus on the disappointment of losing a hard fought match like this one, but I am full of optimism because of the tremendous growth that our team has shown in a short period of time," said head coach Bulut Ozturk. "I was extremely proud of our effort, resilience, and teamwork today."

The Eagles scored on their first notable threat just over nine minutes into the contest. Kelly struck a cross to the near post. Goalkeeper Erika Gabriel deflected it, and Brianna Fourman tapped it in from in front of the goal line to give Ashland a 1-0 early advantage. Bailey Clark started the play from midfield with a pass to Kelly and was credited with an assist. Grace Shaw tried to counter for MTU with a free kick on goal from 20 yards but Lee made a two handed, head height save.

Shaw did even the score in the 27^th minute for Michigan Tech. First, she deflected Lee's clearing attempt to teammate Brooke Schauer. Schauer made a 10-foot pass back to Shaw, who beat Lee from the left side of the box low to the middle of the frame. It was Shaw's second tally of the spring. The Huskies posted a season high 17 first half shot attempts with nine landing on goal. Ashland recorded five shot attempts, including three on goal.

Both teams played well defensively in the second half. The Huskies earned a free kick from 25 yards out in the 73^rd minute and Stephanie Yeager skipped a shot in on Lee, who moved to her right to make the save. In the 84^th minute, Ashland connected a series of short passes up the left sideline but missed a chance on the goal when Rylie Howman sent a shot high as she streaked to the back post on the cross. 

Within three minutes of regulation, Yeager curled a shot right to left from inside the box but Lee stopped it at waist height and the score stayed even, forcing overtime. After a pair of docile early tries by Michigan Tech on goal, Kelly capped the victory for the Eagles with a shot over the head of Gabriel. Lee made 16 saves while Young finished with two.

"We created a lot of chances offensively, which was a huge improvement," Ozturk said. "We are heading in the right direction and I am looking forward to reaching our destination."

Michigan Tech finished its five-game road trip at Saginaw Valley State Saturday at 1 p.m. at Braddock Field.