Ashland University's women's soccer team has reached a new height in the 2024 United Soccer Coaches (USC) Top 25 NCAA Division II Women's Poll, as the Eagles are slotted at No. 4 in the ranking released on Tuesday (Oct. 8) afternoon.
 
Tuesday's ranking is the highest for Ashland so far this season, passing the No. 7 spot in the Sept. 24 poll.
 
The Eagles (7-1-1 overall, 5-0-1 and in first place in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference) will two games this week – at non-conference opponent Slippery Rock (4-2-3) on Wednesday (Oct. 9) at 7 p.m., then at Walsh (6-2-1, 3-2-1) on Saturday (Oct. 12) at 7 p.m..
 
Through Monday (Oct. 7), junior forward Dani Hicks is tied for the NCAA Division II lead in game-winning goals this season with four, while senior goalkeeper Maddie Dolenga and fifth-year keeper Mackenzie Simon are tied for third in the country in goals-against average (0.22), Simon is tied for fifth in save percentage (.923) and Dolenga is tied for seventh (.917).
 
Team-wise, Ashland is No. 2 in the nation in corner kicks per game (9.44) and GAA (0.22), and tied for third in save percentage (.920).
 
2024 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S SOCCER USC RANKINGS: No. 9 (preseason), No. 16 (Sept. 10), No. 11 (Sept. 17), No. 7 (Sept. 24), No. 8 (Oct. 1), No. 4 (Oct. 8).