Sunday, October 30
Muncie, Ind.
1:00 PM
Ball State University
14-3-3
1
vs
1
Northern Illinois
4-10-5
1
2
OT 3
OT 4
F
NIU
0
1
0
0
1
Ball State
1
0
0
0
1
Photo by: Scott McNitt
Soccer Falls to NIU in PKs in MAC Quarterfinals
October 30, 2016 | Soccer
Sam Kambol scores sixth goal for the Cardinals
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State soccer team played Northern Illinois to a 1-1 draw through two overtimes in Sunday's Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinal, but the regular-season champion Cardinals lost a penalty-kick shootout.
Ball State took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a goal from freshman Sam Kambol, but NIU answered back on a 59th-minute set piece. Neither team managed a goal through the remainder of regulation or overtime. The Huskies then made good on four of their five penalty kicks, while the Cardinals connected on three.
"I felt like we created opportunities within the game," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "We knew NIU was going to be physical. Re-starts are kind of their forte. They were able to score a re-start goal and get back in the game. We ended up going to PKs, and it's anyone's game at that point in time."
Kambol's goal was her team-leading sixth of the season. It came in the 38th minute when she turned and fired a beautiful shot over the outstretched hand of NIU keeper Mackenzie Lee.
That was the only shot the Cardinals (14-3-3) could get past Lee, who made six saves in the game. Ball State held a 17-5 advantage in shots and a 9-1 lead in corner kicks but could not put another ball in the back of the net.
Northern Illinois (4-10-5) tied the game when Natalie Yass sent a long free kick into the box, and Taylor Sarver booted it home.
Ball State had some close calls coming down the stretch. A free kick from Leah Mattingly bounced off the post, and a shot from Kambol hit the crossbar. But the Cardinals couldn't find the go-ahead goal.
Ball State was coming off clinching its second straight MAC regular season championship three days earlier. At No. 42 in the latest NCAA RPI, the Cardinals will await word on a potential at-large potseason berth.
"I'm proud of the team, proud of the seniors," Roberts said. "They've been outstanding all season long. I'm immensely proud of them."
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Ball State took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a goal from freshman Sam Kambol, but NIU answered back on a 59th-minute set piece. Neither team managed a goal through the remainder of regulation or overtime. The Huskies then made good on four of their five penalty kicks, while the Cardinals connected on three.
"I felt like we created opportunities within the game," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "We knew NIU was going to be physical. Re-starts are kind of their forte. They were able to score a re-start goal and get back in the game. We ended up going to PKs, and it's anyone's game at that point in time."
Kambol's goal was her team-leading sixth of the season. It came in the 38th minute when she turned and fired a beautiful shot over the outstretched hand of NIU keeper Mackenzie Lee.
That was the only shot the Cardinals (14-3-3) could get past Lee, who made six saves in the game. Ball State held a 17-5 advantage in shots and a 9-1 lead in corner kicks but could not put another ball in the back of the net.
Northern Illinois (4-10-5) tied the game when Natalie Yass sent a long free kick into the box, and Taylor Sarver booted it home.
Ball State had some close calls coming down the stretch. A free kick from Leah Mattingly bounced off the post, and a shot from Kambol hit the crossbar. But the Cardinals couldn't find the go-ahead goal.
Ball State was coming off clinching its second straight MAC regular season championship three days earlier. At No. 42 in the latest NCAA RPI, the Cardinals will await word on a potential at-large potseason berth.
"I'm proud of the team, proud of the seniors," Roberts said. "They've been outstanding all season long. I'm immensely proud of them."
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Team Stats
NIU
BSU
Goals
1
1
Shots
5
17
Shots on Goal
1
7
Saves
6
0
Corners
1
9
Fouls
17
13
Scoring Plays
KAMBOL, Sam (6)
shot from top of box
37:07
SARVER, Taylor (7)
Assisted By: YASS, Natalie
scored off deflected free kick
57:40
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
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