Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
13-3-2 (8-1-1MAC)
Kent State
11-2-2 (7-1-2MAC)
Resilient Soccer Regains MAC’s Top Spot at Kent State
October 23, 2016 | Soccer
Goals from Wendlandt, Kambol lead Cardinals to comeback road win
Coming off its first conference loss of the season three days earlier and trailing by a goal on the road against the league's first-place team, the Cardinals had neither the momentum nor the odds in their favor. Kent State had not lost in conference play, at home or in any of its past 13 games. On top of that, the Golden Flashes had not surrendered more than one goal to any MAC team.
But Ball State had plans to change all of that. Kelsey Wendlandt's goal in the 77th minute tied things up, and freshman Sam Kambol's score in the first overtime lifted the Cardinals to a thrilling 2-1 victory at Dix Stadium.
Ball State (13-3-2, 8-1-1 MAC) moved back into first place in the overall MAC standings and clinched its second straight West Division championship. The Cardinals can secure the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament with a win or tie in the regular season finale Thursday against Miami.
"I was proud of our team's performance," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "We kept at task at hand and never lost sight of what we came here to do."
Team work makes the dream work! Take a look at Sam Kambol's overtime goal from our 2-1 win at Kent State! #1T1B #chirpchirp #westchamps pic.twitter.com/XNsYILNqRr
— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) October 23, 2016
A balanced first half left the teams locked in a scoreless tie headed to the locker room, but Kent State (11-2-2, 7-1-2 MAC) struck seven minutes into the second half with a goal from the MAC's second-leading scorer Jenna Hellstrom.
From that point on, Ball State was on the attack. The Cardinals possessed the ball for much of the next 25 minutes but could not find the equalizer. Then Wendlandt sent a laser from the corner of the box past Kent State keeper Ashleah McDonald, and the tenor of the game changed.
Neither team managed a goal through the rest of regulation, but the Cardinals had found their footing. They continued to attack and eventually broke through again in the 97th minute. Kambol took the ball with some room to work on the left side of the field. She raced through defenders and connected on a shot from 10 yards out for the game-winner.
"We kept believing, and Kelsey came up with fantastic shot to get us back in game," Roberts said. "It was great to see her score that goal as a senior. Then Sam Kambol showed the maturity of a seasoned veteran to score the winning goal. She beat a player 1v1 and did a tremendous job of keeping her composure to find the back of the net."
It was Kambol's fifth goal of the season, matching Emily Scott for the most on the team. The Cardinals have featured such a balanced attack that seven different players have scored between three and five goals.
Ball State finished the game with 19 shots, including nine on goal, and limited the highest-scoring offense in MAC play to 11 shots and three on goal. Alyssa Heintschel patrolled the net to earn the win.
"Throughout the entire game, we were committed to winning the ball and imposing our style," Roberts said. "This weekend was very good in the sense that it really challenged us. Some teams will crumble in that situation, but we responded very well. We maintained our belief and stayed focused on what we needed to do as a team."
The Cardinals now return to the Briner Sports Complex to close the regular season Thursday at 3 p.m. against Miami. The team will then host a quarterfinal game in the MAC Tournament on Sunday.
If Ball State can achieve the No. 1 seed for the tournament, it would earn the right to play all of its tournament games on its home field.
Team Stats
HELLSTROM, Jenna (13)
Assisted By: CAPEHART, Donavan
GOAL by KENTST HELLSTROM, Jenna (FIRST GOAL), Assist by CAPEHART, Donavan, goal number 13 for season.
52:44
WENDLANDT, Kelsey
GOAL by BSU WENDLANDT, Kelsey.
76:39
KAMBOL, Sam (5)
23 gets turnover, takes ball into the bo
96:25
