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Story courtesy of Al King and the Ashland Univesity Sports Information Dept.
NCAA D-II Midwest Region Tournament
Hosted by Rockhurst University
Kansas City, Mo.
Sunday,
November 16
(2) Northern Kentucky 0, (4) Lewis (Ill.) 0 (2OT)
[NKU advances on penalty kicks, 4-3]
Friday, November 14
(2) Northern Kentucky 3, (3) Ashland
2
(4) Lewis (Ill.) 4, (1) Rockhurst (Mo.) 1
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - On a cold and blustery day at Rockhurst University, the Ashland men's soccer team had its season come to a disappointing close against Northern Kentucky on Friday (Nov. 14).
The Norse tallied three goals in the first half, and the Eagles could only muster two goals in the second half as NKU celebrated a 3-2 win in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Ashland finishes with an overall record of 15-4-2, which follows a season in which the Eagles were 0-17-1. The 15 wins were the most in program history.
Early, the Eagles struggled to control the ball on the artificial surface at Bourke Field on the campus of Rockhurst University, which played as host of the first and second rounds this weekend.
In the fifth minute, Ashland keeper Ryan Cruise collected a free ball in the penalty area, but as he tried to clear the ball, NKU's Braden Bishop intercepted the clearance and deposited the ball into the upper right corner of the net to give the Norse a 1-0 lead.
Ashland managed a pair of free kicks in the 30th minute but was unable to capitalize as both wound up in the wall of NKU defenders. In any case, it appeared the Eagles started to control the ball more as the half went on but they were unable to keep the lead at 1-0.
In the 40th minute, NKU scored again as Eric Ashworth headed a crossing throw-in from Anthony Meyer, making it 2-0.
Later in the 43rd minute, NKU stretched the lead to 3-0 on a header by the Norse's leading scorer Steven Beattie, who tallied his 21st goal of the year.
At halftime, NKU led in shots, 5-4, and in corner kicks, 3-1.
The Eagles came out of the break much sharper, and controlled the ball for much of the half.
Their efforts paid off in the 54th minute as midfielder Tom Mangotic wailed a terrific shot coming off a rebound to cut the Norse lead to 3-1.
With a stout AU defense dominating the NKU front line (Ashland led 9-0 in shots in the second half), the Eagles were able to capitalize again in the 72nd minute as midfielder Kenny Hewitt delivered a terrific cross to forward Ross Ashley, who slid the ball into the right side of the net to make it 3-2.
Ashland had a terrific chance to tie the game in the 80th minute but Mangotic's shot off a cross from midfielder Tom Rankin hit the crossbar before NKU controlled the ball.
When a corner kick opportunity in the 86th minute came up short, the Eagles were dealt just their fourth loss of a terrific season.
Ashland led Northern Kentucky, 8-5, in corner kicks in the match.