Soccer Visits WMU Thursday, Hosts NIU Sunday

Game 13
Ball State at Western Michigan
Thursday, Oct. 5 (4 p.m.)
Kalamazoo, Mich. (WMU Soccer Complex)
Watch | Live Stats

Game 14
Ball State vs. Northern Illinois
Sunday, Oct. 8 (2 p.m.)
Muncie, Ind. (Briner Sports Complex)
Live Stats

The first-place Ball State soccer team continues Mid-American Conference play with a split week against a pair of fellow West Division opponents. The Cardinals visit Western Michigan on Thursday and return home to host Northern Illinois on Sunday.

Ball State (5-5-2, 3-0-1 MAC) has started to hit its stride in recent weeks, posting an unbeaten record over the past five games. The Cardinals continued their strong play last weekend, recording a 3-1 victory over Ohio and a 1-0 win over Kent State to take control of the MAC standings.

Sophomore midfielder Julia Elvbo scored three of the team's four goals in those games on her way to MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors. She and fellow midfielder Lauren Roll have combined to score six of the team's seven goals so far in league play.

Our very own Julia Elvbo is up for the HERO of the Week award, and you can help her win! Vote here now: https://t.co/ZhAFzEo1qD pic.twitter.com/Jal8meAkJV
— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) October 4, 2017

The Cardinals have been outstanding both offensively and defensively through four conference games, ranking second in the league in both goals scored and allowed. The BSU back line and goalkeeping tandem of Tristin Stuteville and Alyssa Heintschel has held four MAC opponents to just three combined goals, and only one of those has come during the run of play.

Western Michigan (7-3-1, 2-1-1 MAC) has also allowed just three goals in conference play. The Broncos lost their opening MAC game to Buffalo but are unbeaten in their past three, including a 2-1 victory over Bowling Green and a scoreless draw against Toledo last weekend.

Grace Labadie leads the Broncos with four goals on the season, while goalkeeper Stephanie Heber has started all 11 games and owns a 0.87 goals against average.

Northern Illinois (5-5-1, 2-2-0 MAC) got off to a fast start by winning its first two MAC games. The Huskies then suffered a pair of home losses last weekend, falling 2-1 to both Toledo and Bowling Green. NIU will host Miami on Thursday before heading to Muncie.

Eleven NIU players have scored a goal this season, led by Tayler Sarver with three. Goalkeeper Amy Annala has started all 11 games and owns a 1.15 goals against average.

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Players Mentioned

Julia Elvbo

Alyssa Heintschel

Lauren Roll

Tristin Stuteville