On Tuesday (Oct. 6) afternoon, in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Soccer Organization for Coaches (IWSOC) NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, in partnership with United Soccer Coaches (USC), Ashland University's women's soccer team is tied for 19^th in the country.
 
The Eagles are 8-2-2 overall and 6-1-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
 
"After a game like Saturday, I am sure it is hard at times to find a silver lining," said Ashland head coach Cayleb Paulino, referring to the Eagles' 1-0 home loss to Findlay on Saturday (Oct. 3) night. "For 59 straight regular-season conference games, we found a way, 47-0-12 during that stretch. What you can take away from it is being able to do something that not many, if any, college soccer programs have been able to do during since 2022. That chapter has closed in the AUWS book, and it is time to start a new one.
 
"What did we gain from it all? A new desire from the group. There has been a new sense of energy, accountability, and ownership in the last 48 hours since the loss. Monday was our best training all year. The message to the group Monday was that this is the best thing that could have happened.  There is a new belief in each other and what we need to do – not just in our conversations as a team, but their presence in training.
 
Ashland has one game on the schedule this coming week – Thursday (Oct. 8) at 3:30 p.m. vs. Northwood (5-5-1, 4-2-1) at Ferguson Field.
 
Through Monday (Oct. 5), the Eagles are fifth in NCAA Division II in corner kicks per game (8.42), and 10^th in both goals-against average (0.33) and shutout percentage (75.0). Sophomore forward Tessa Blain is tied for the second-most game-winning goals (four) in the country.
 
2026 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S SOCCER IWSOC/USC RANKINGS: No. 22 (preseason), No. 11 (Sept. 1, 8 and 15), No. 7 (Sept. 22), No. 6 (Sept. 29), No. T-19 (Oct. 6).