Tiffin University used a solid offensive attack with an effective free position percentage to outpace Ashland 19-10 in their season opening contest at Frost Kalnow Stadium.
Tiffin opened with a 4-0 run, a cushion that they maintained for most of the game. Daniela Carey scored off a pass from Emily Chapman at 24:42 followed by Elle Hamilton's free position rocket at 23:21.
Leah Davis scored an unassisted goal three minutes later followed by another unassisted goal by Hamilton 30 seconds later to put TU up 4-0.
The two teams traded goals throughout the remainder of the half, with TU holding a 9-5 lead at halftime.
Hamilton scored four of her eight goals in the game by the break, including TU's final score of the half with 57 seconds left. Carey also added two more first half goals, while Liv Ghent scored her first collegiate goal at the 6:35 mark.
Tiffin held a 19-11 lead in shots in the first half, with 18 of those shots being on goal. Nine different Dragons took shots as the team spread the attack around. Tiffin's defense also forced 13 first half turnovers and were 8 for 10 in clears.
Ashland could get no closer that a four-goal deficit throughout the second half, while Tiffin finished the game by scoring six of the game's final seven goals over the final 13:34.
Overall TU outshot Ashland 34-25 while holding a 20-11 ground ball edge. They went 15 for 18 in clears and forced 19 total turnovers. They finished with a 7 for 9 effort on free position shots and won the draw controls 16-13.
Hamilton had a monster season opening game, tying her career high with 8 goals, 13 draws, 3 ground balls, 2 caused turnovers, and one assist. Carey finished with 4 goals, Leah Davis had 2 goals, and Ashley Osbeck had a goal and 2 assists. Ghent had a goal with 4 ground balls, Emily Chapman and Jenny Bates also scored their first collegiate goals, and Josie Brown also scored.
Maeve Gatenbee got the win in goal, making 7 saves over 57 minutes. Alex Sklack also made a save in 3 minutes.
Tiffin now takes to the road to play Lindenwood (Mo.) March 1 at 1 pm.
