ASHLAND, Ohio — For the third time in four years, the Ashland University Eagles are G-MAC
Champions.

The Eagles hosted the Northwood Timberwolves at Ferguson Field for the conference
championship on Saturday evening. The two teams tussled through 90 minutes of action where
four total goals were found, with the Eagles coming out on top, 3-1. The matchup between the
two sides spotlighted a rematch from last year's conference title game.
Ashland was led by their three yearly award winners: Defensive Player of the Year Merrik
Mihalek, Offensive Player of the Year Dani Hicks and Coach of the Year Cayleb Paulino.
Hicks and the offense instantly got to work for the Eagles as they were able to produce a break-
neck pace on their attack. Just 10 minutes into the game they would secure the opening goal.
Senior forward Tori Haggit struck the ball from outside the box, caroming off the crossbar before
falling to the foot of senior forward McKinley Mendenhall. She blasted it into the back netting for
a 1-0 lead.

The remainder of the first half was marked by good opportunities from both sides, but neither
was able to find another mark on the scoreboard.
Heading out of the halftime break, sophomore midfielder Haley Hightower pushed the Eagles’
lead to two with an upper-90 jaw-dropper. Her shot from outside the box was placed perfectly in
the top left corner of the goal after a pass from senior defender Hope Evans
With a 2-0 lead, Ashland remained content with the scoreline before they found a third goal in
the 69th minute. The goal would be potted by Mendenhall, her second of the game and 33rd of
her career. Haggit and Mihalek were lauded for the assists.

The lone Northwood goal came in the 78th minute to cushion the 3-1 scoreline, scored by
sophomore midfielder Addyson Gorzelski.

The win for the No. 3 nationally ranked Eagles marked the third time in four years they have
won a G-MAC tournament title. They were able to outshoot the Timberwolves, 16-8, while also
forcing more corner kicks, 9-3.

Teams now await a selection to compete in the NCAA postseason tournament
which is set to begin next week. The 2024 selection show will take place on Monday, Nov. 18
at 7:00 p.m.