MVNU’s passing was crisp from the starting kick off as the Cougars (6-2), who received votes in the latest NAIA poll, did a great job of possessing the ball right from the start of the match. Junior midfielder Cody Snouffer ripped a shot just a minute into the match that Ashland goalie Justin Nolan made a nice save on and then sophomore Chris Allen added two shots on goal inside the first 11 minutes that Nolan once again came up big on to keep the match scoreless.

Then, in the 34th minute, with the Cougars pushing forward on a counter attack, senior forward Scott Forster dropped a pass back to senior midfielder Scott Spangler, who settled the ball and then chipped it into the goal mouth. Junior defender Kemar Jackson (left), who had made a run, read the play perfectly and out-ran the ball to the spot just in time to head it past Nolan and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead for MVNU. The goal was the second of the year for Jackson, while Spangler was credited with his third assist of the season.

The score remained 1-0 at the half as the Cougars held an 11-5 advantage in total shots and a 7-1 edge in shots on goal. Corner kicks were knotted at 2-2 at the half.

After the first half saw 13 fouls called, the intensity increased in the second half as 21 fouls were whistled and four cautions were handed out - two per team. However, MVNU did not back down and continued to push for an insurance goal.

The visiting Eagles (2-2-3), who had just tied NCAA II current No. 1 Northern Kentucky University in their prior match, had their best chances to equalize in the final 15 minutes as Ashland was able to get several opportunities inside the penalty area. However, the Cougars’ defense was able to withstand each charge and clear the ball to keep the shutout intact.

With just over three minutes left in the match, MVNU appeared to take a 2-0 lead when Allen beat two defenders and ripped a shot into the back of the net. That goal was waved off, though, after a lengthy deliberation between the center and side officials as offsides was called on the Cougars.

That call would eventually not matter as MVNU was able to hold strong along the back line as the Cougars closed out the 1-0 victory.

“We did a great job today of possessing the ball,” said MVNU assistant coach Steve Lesmes. “From the very start of the match, our midfielders controlled the action and we really could have scored three goals in the early going if it was not for the play of their keeper.”

“I was pleased with the way that we adapted to the physical nature of the match,” Lesmes added. “We did not back down and were still able to play our game. While it would have been nice to have converted on a couple more scoring chances, this is a nice win over a solid squad.”

Senior goalkeeper Alex Stout stopped three shots for the Cougars in posting his sixth shutout of the year and the 32nd shutout of his illustrious career. Nolan finished with nine saves for Ashland and kept the Eagles in the match with his play in goal. MVNU posted a 20-11 lead in total shots, a 10-3 advantage in shots on goal, and a 7-4 edge in corner kicks.

The Cougars will look to set a new record for consecutive home wins when the team hosts Daemen (N.Y.) College on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in American Mideast Conference action. MVNU previously won 11 straight home matches during a stretch in the 2002 and 2003 seasons. The longest streak between home losses came from 2002-2004 when the team went 16-0-1.