PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- The women's soccer program at Shawnee State battled the women's soccer program at Pikeville (Ky.) to a scoreless tie at halftime -- its second time doing so in as many matches and weekends to start the 2025 season -- en route to partaking in yet another competitive match, but despite a 46th minute conversion by Shawnee State junior Lucie Ashkettle, two second-half goals in a six-minute span by Pikeville allowed UPike to take a 2-1 decision over SSU in a nonconference contest that was held at Shawnee Turf in Portsmouth Saturday evening.

Despite difficulties establishing consistent pushes down the field offensively, Shawnee State's defense held serve against Pikeville in the opening 45 minutes, as SSU's consistent pressure over the final third of the field held UPike to the point where the visitors put just two of their five shots on target, both of which were stopped by Shawnee State sophomore goalkeeper Harlee Brand in the third and fourth minutes of play on shots that were affected, in part, by the Shawnee State defense.

In the second half, Shawnee State got an opportunity that Robyn Drinkwater and Ashkettle ultimately took full advantage of.

After getting possession early in the second half, SSU was able to advance the ball down the far side of the pitch -- setting up Drinkwater for a corner kick. Drinkwater's pass was lofted right on target to Ashkettle, who at the left side of the box, headed the ball to the right corner of the net and past Pikeville goalkeeper Allyson Gonzalez for a 1-0 Shawnee State lead.

However, while Ashkettle kept attacking -- posting each of Shawnee State's remaining three shots on goal over the remainder of the match, Pikeville was able to spread its attack out and establish more significant runs over the game's final 35 minutes of play. This ultimately culminated in the equalizing goal by Pikeville's Sara Ritter in the 60th minute as well as UPike's Charlene Lofqvist in the 66th frame of competition.

Shawnee State was led by Ashkettle's five shots, with each shot being on target in the match including the 45th minute goal. The goal was Ashkettle's 10th of her Shawnee State career as well as her 24th career point. Drinkwater, meanwhile, tallied her fifth career assist and moved her career point total up to 19 at Shawnee State as the midfielder has seven career goals to boot.

SSU will be back in action Wednesday, Sept. 3 against Union Commonwealth (Ky.) in what will be another nonconference contest. Game time is set for 6 p.m.