Friday, August 18
Muncie, Ind.
5:00 PM
Ball State University
1-0
2
vs
0
Fort Wayne
0-1
1
2
F
Fort Wayne
0
0
0
Ball State
2
0
2
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Soccer Opens with 2-0 Victory over Fort Wayne
August 18, 2017 | Soccer
Cardinals turn attention to Sunday matchup at 18th-ranked Notre Dame
MUNCIE, Ind. -- It didn't take long for the Ball State soccer team to get its offense going Friday evening at the Briner Sports Complex.
Sam Kambol and Evie Stepaniak each scored in the first 30 minutes of play, and the Cardinals rolled to a 2-0 victory over Fort Wayne in the season opener.
The defense, which has been a hallmark for Ball State, picked up right where it left off. After matching the school record with 10 shutouts a year ago, the Cardinals started the new season with another clean sheet.
The back line was solid with returning starters Taylor Pooley and Yela Ziswiler along with veteran Lucy Walton and a healthy Sam Mattlin. They limited Fort Wayne's opportunities throughout the night. Alyssa Heintschel played the first 83 minutes in goal before giving way to freshman Madison Lockard, who finished off the shutout in her first collegiate appearance.
"I thought our commitment to the system we were playing and the energy we provided was very good," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "The girls read the game very well and stepped strong. I thought we looked very, very good at times going forward. We would like to have hit the back of the net a few more times, but I felt we executed very well."
Kambol netted the first goal of the year when the Cardinals converted on a corner kick opportunity in the 13th minute. Amanda Shaw served the ball in, and Lauren Roll had the first touch to set up Kambol for the score.
Stepaniak extended the lead 14 minutes later. Alessandra Fistrovich played Stepaniak open with a nice pass, and the transfer in her first BSU appearance finished in impressive fashion around Fort Wayne keeper Haley Lydon.
"I felt the girls showed a lot of discipline and a lot of consistency in their performances," Roberts said. "It was great to see some of the new individuals on the team have a huge impact. I thought it was a great finish by Evie for her first goal."
The Cardinals continued to apply pressure the rest of the way and had opportunities to add to the goal tally. Lydon made a pair of big saves on attempts by Shaw in the second half, and the Cardinals had three shots in one possession deflected inside the box.
Ball State will continue its opening weekend Sunday with a trip to South Bend for a 1:30 p.m. matchup with 18th-ranked Notre Dame.
Sunday's game will feature the top two teams in state of Indiana based on last season's RPI. The Irish ended the 2016 campaign at No. 16 in the RPI, while Ball State closed the year at No. 52 after reaching an all-time high of No. 40.
The contest will also serve as a homecoming for Kambol and Pooley, who grew up in the South Bend area and starred on the high school soccer scene there.
"We're excited about going up there and executing our style of play," Roberts said. "It will be a very good test; we'll be playing against national team players. It will be a case of whether we can remain organized and whether we can execute when we have opportunities."
Sam Kambol and Evie Stepaniak each scored in the first 30 minutes of play, and the Cardinals rolled to a 2-0 victory over Fort Wayne in the season opener.
The defense, which has been a hallmark for Ball State, picked up right where it left off. After matching the school record with 10 shutouts a year ago, the Cardinals started the new season with another clean sheet.
The back line was solid with returning starters Taylor Pooley and Yela Ziswiler along with veteran Lucy Walton and a healthy Sam Mattlin. They limited Fort Wayne's opportunities throughout the night. Alyssa Heintschel played the first 83 minutes in goal before giving way to freshman Madison Lockard, who finished off the shutout in her first collegiate appearance.
"I thought our commitment to the system we were playing and the energy we provided was very good," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "The girls read the game very well and stepped strong. I thought we looked very, very good at times going forward. We would like to have hit the back of the net a few more times, but I felt we executed very well."
Kambol netted the first goal of the year when the Cardinals converted on a corner kick opportunity in the 13th minute. Amanda Shaw served the ball in, and Lauren Roll had the first touch to set up Kambol for the score.
Stepaniak extended the lead 14 minutes later. Alessandra Fistrovich played Stepaniak open with a nice pass, and the transfer in her first BSU appearance finished in impressive fashion around Fort Wayne keeper Haley Lydon.
"I felt the girls showed a lot of discipline and a lot of consistency in their performances," Roberts said. "It was great to see some of the new individuals on the team have a huge impact. I thought it was a great finish by Evie for her first goal."
The Cardinals continued to apply pressure the rest of the way and had opportunities to add to the goal tally. Lydon made a pair of big saves on attempts by Shaw in the second half, and the Cardinals had three shots in one possession deflected inside the box.
Ball State will continue its opening weekend Sunday with a trip to South Bend for a 1:30 p.m. matchup with 18th-ranked Notre Dame.
Sunday's game will feature the top two teams in state of Indiana based on last season's RPI. The Irish ended the 2016 campaign at No. 16 in the RPI, while Ball State closed the year at No. 52 after reaching an all-time high of No. 40.
The contest will also serve as a homecoming for Kambol and Pooley, who grew up in the South Bend area and starred on the high school soccer scene there.
"We're excited about going up there and executing our style of play," Roberts said. "It will be a very good test; we'll be playing against national team players. It will be a case of whether we can remain organized and whether we can execute when we have opportunities."
Team Stats
FW
BSU
Goals
0
2
Shots
9
16
Shots on Goal
4
7
Saves
5
4
Corners
1
6
Fouls
8
9
Scoring Plays
KAMBOL, Sam (1)
Assisted By: SHAW, Amanda , ROLL, Lauren
scored off deflected corner
12:17
STEPANIAK, Evie (1)
Assisted By: FISTROVICH, A.
beat keeper at close range
26:29
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M
/ Soccer
GK
/ SoccerF
/ Soccer
G
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
D
/ SoccerM
/ SoccerM/F
/ Soccer
M/D
/ Soccer
D
/ SoccerSoccer vs. Kent State (One Camera Feed)
Sunday, September 21
Soccer vs. Central Michigan (One Camera Feed)
Thursday, September 18
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Guests: Mike Uremovich, Addie Chester, and Jeff Mitchell
Thursday, September 04
Women's Soccer // Win vs IU Indy
Tuesday, September 02