ASHLAND, Ohio – Davenport took part in their third straight GLIAC Tournament, this time facing the Eagles of Ashland University. The game was low scoring and favored the Eagles by one goal in the end. A single passing error on defense gave way to a one on one with an Ashland player and Samantha Beckles, which resulted in a goal for Ashland. Davenport played the Eagles tight throughout, but the single blunder on defense proved to be a key play in the game.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-0 | Ashland-1
Location: Ashland, Ohio
Records: Davenport 6-9-2 (4-3-2) | Ashland 14-3-1 (7-2-0)
 
SHOTS PER HALF (Shots on goal)
First Half: DU-2 | AU-11
Second Half: DU-4 | AU-6
Total: DU-6 (3) | AU-17 (8)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panthers knew they had to neutralize the advantage that Ashland possessed by playing on their home turf. One way to do that is to score the initial goal of the game. Davenport had a great chance in the 16^th minute of the game, recording shots by Madaleine Zayan and Ashlyn Skidmore inside the box. Zayan's shot was blocked and then the ball bounced over to Skidmore, who fired a shot, but that went high and to the right. Davenport was knocking on the door to score the first goal of the game, but a defensive mishap in the 25^th minute of the game gave way to Makenzie Kelly of Ashland having a one on one opportunity against Beckles. Kelly finished with a shot low and to the right, putting the Eagles on the board first. The Panthers struggled this season when getting scored on first, losing all eight times this season.
 
Davenport needed an offensive jolt in the second half and that almost came from Hannah Henney. Henney, who started the second half, took a free kick from the left side of the field and nearly scored. Her shot went barreling towards the left upper corner of the net, but the Ashland keeper had to dive and punch the ball out of bounds for the save. The Panthers continued to try and find the equalizer, but couldn't find the back of the net.
 
Beckles recorded seven saves in the game, doing her part to keep the game in reach for the Davenport offense. The Panthers offense had its struggles over the last six games, scoring just two goals.

COACHES CORNER
"Despite today's loss, myself and the coaching staff are extremely proud of the progress the team has made this year. Thank you to the seniors for their efforts this season and their contributions to the program throughout the past four years. Also, a massive thank you to our supporters who came week in and week out along our journey!" - Head Coach Paige Eli

PLAYER OF THE GAME

 
UP NEXT
This concludes the 2019 season for the women's soccer team and was the last game of the seniors career. The team went 6-9-2 overall and 4-3-2 in conference play this season.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner