PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. - Ashford University men's soccer defender Damian Ryan of Davenport probably didn't see this one coming.
For the second straight game, the reigning MCC Defensive Player of the Week accounted for the only scoring and provided the game winner in a 1-0 non-conference shutout over Trinity Christian College in Wednesday's nightcap.
"We didn't play great, but we still created a number of opportunities," AU Head Coach Richard Markham said. "It's tough to get off a three-hour bus ride and play right away, but they're (Trinity Christian) a good team. 4-0 is what we wanted to be at the end of the night."
The score could have been a little more inflated had junior Vedran Ilic of Rockford and sophomore Nick De Backer of Antwerp, Belgium, had their shots deflect slightly different off the post. Both teams managed five shots against each other in the second half.
Ryan was in the right place at the right time to knock in a deflection from a goal kick in the 23rd minute past TCC goalkeeper Nathan VanderWoude.
Although the 6-2 Ryan was quick to credit his trademark pink headband for his recent success, it's been no secret the senior was on a vendetta since the beginning of the year to find the net. He scored the game-winner on a running header last week against Cardinal Stritch University.
Ryan attempted just nine shots on goal in 2008, but his vertical leap and uncanny ability to win airborne headers landed him on the First-Team All-MCC list last year.
"I just had to stay calm and collected and finish the tough opportunities," Ryan said. "I never would have guessed this would have happened, but as a team we're excited to get this win."
AU's last game was marred by a number of yellow cards against Cardinal Stritch, but tonight's performance resulted in no cards being handed out on either side.
"Overall, I'm just happy with our performance," Markham added. "Having zero cards was one of the goals we had coming in and if we continue to alleviate the pressures and continue to play defense well, the hard work will pay off. We're just taking it one game at a time."
Ashford returns to its home crowd this weekend when it hosts Calumet College of St. Joseph on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
