INDIANAPOLIS – The final verdict came in overtime while eventually concluding the successful seasons in the first-round quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship Midwest Regional for No. 2 seed Ashland and No. 8 Cedarville on Thursday.
 
The top two seeds from the Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament bracket earned their way into the field of 48 with an AQ (Ashland) and an at-large selection following Monday night’s selection show.
 
Ashland fell to a dangerous opening-round draw in No. 7 Drury at Ferguson Field, 1-0 in double overtime. Cedarville nearly had an upset in a 2-1 final in the first overtime vs. No. 1 Grand Valley State.
 
Also winning from the Midwest Region bracket in Thursday’s quarterfinals was No. 5 UIndy and No. 6 Saginaw Valley State over No. 4 McKendree and No. 3 Ferris State.
 
The Yellow Jackets pushed top seeded Grand Valley State to the brink, taking the lead in the first half on an impressive goal booted by Hannah Sareyka. The Lakers would tie things up with about 18 minutes left in regulation, crashing the box with a lot of traffic.
 
Great Midwest Goalkeeper of the Year Brooke Ackley was brilliant in weather that included swirling winds up to 30 mph with some snow fall. Ackley made some tough saves on unpredictable bounces on the grass surface as GVSU fired off 18 shots.  
 
The Yellow Jackets finished their 2021 campaign with a 12-6-2 overall record.
 
The 104th minute was the decisive blow from the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament champion Panthers. Drury broke the scoreless tie off the foot of Chloe Cash to advance. Drury had 13 shots to Ashland’s 11.
 
The Eagles ended their first season in the Great Midwest with a 15-2-3 overall record while earning the conference regular season title and championship tournament title.