Women’s Soccer Shutouts Ashland As Unbeaten Streak Continues

The Ferris State University women's soccer team extended its four-match unbeaten streak by holding the Ashland Eagles scoreless in a 2-0 decision this Friday (Sept. 24) afternoon in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest at the FSU Soccer Field in Big Rapids, Mich.  

With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to a 3-4-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the GLIAC's North Division this season. Meanwhile, the Eagles drop their record to 2-4-1 overall and are 1-3-1 in conference South Divisional play to date.

Ferris State senior midfielder Kara Lovelace (East Kentwood) tallied the first goal of the match after a corner kick by junior defender Mekyla Spraggins (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Central) was received by sophomore Kasey Ruimveld (Vicksburg) who passed to the ball center of the goalie box. The 69^th minute second half goal marks Lovelace's first goal of the season.

With 15:25 left in the second half, sophomore forward Cassie Aro (Gaines/Linden) netted her second goal of the season off a midfield pass from sophomore midfielder Hillary Procunier (Davison/Flint Kearsley). From 25 feet out and to the right of the goal box, Aro sailed the ball to the high left corner of the Ashland net, over the reach of goalkeeper Karly Beuck.

The Bulldog's shutout marked freshman goaltender Rachel McCollum's (Grand Blanc) third of the season. McCollum has now compiled a 3-0-1 record in the past four outings.

McCollum made three saves to secure the victory which improves her record to 3-4-1 this fall. Ashland's Beuck (2-4-1) held off 11 shots on goal for the contest in taking a loss.

Ferris State had four players tallying a match-high tying two shots on goal a piece- senior midfielder Megan Stec (Novi), junior forward Bri Borgman (Holland/West Ottawa), freshman forward Emily Kraska (Bay City/John Glenn) and Kara Lovelace.

Ferris State outshot Ashland 19-6, highlighted by an 11-3 advantage in the first half.  Ferris State also held the edge in corner kicks, 5-1.

The Bulldogs will continue their five-match conference homestand facing the Lake Erie Storm this Sunday (Sept. 26) with a 12 p.m. (EDT) start time in Big Rapids, Mich. The matchup will mark the first time the two teams will be playing each other, as it is the Storm's inaugural season in the GLIAC.