UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer program hosted No. 16 Ashland in their home opener Friday afternoon. The Cardinals (1-2-0) fell 3-0 to the Eagles (1-1-0) as AU outshot SVSU 8-6.

Lainey Garbarz started and played all 90 minutes stopping two of the five shots on goal. Merrik Mihalek scored the opener on a penalty kick 52 seconds into the match and the Eagles scored their second goal just over seven minutes into the match to make it 2-0. Mihalek tallied her second goal in the 74th minute on a header off a corner kick to extend the lead to three.

SVSU had some chances in the middle portion of the match but could not capitalize. Stephanie Strong and Madi Bajis both put their lone shots on goal as Lauryn Fracassi attempted twice but missed her mark both times.

The Eagles split goalkeepers with Maddie Dolenga starting and earning the win with one save and Mackenzie Simon playing the second half and tallying one save as well.

Up Next: Saginaw Valley gets back on Robert C. Braddock Field Sunday afternoon. The Cardinals host the Findlay Oilers (0-0-2) with kickoff set for 12:00 PM EST.