Soccer Topples Toledo, 2-1

Toledo, Ohio ? The Ball State soccer team improved to 4-0-0 in Mid-American Conference action as the Cardinals toppled Toledo, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at Scott Park. The victory moves the Cardinals into sole possession of the top spot in the MAC standings after two weekends of play.

"We played very well in the first half and then buckled down defensively in the second half to secure the victory," head coach Michelle Salmon said. "This afternoon was a total team effort. Any time that you can go on the road in MAC play and come away with two victories it is a great feeling."

The Cardinals (9-1-2, 4-0-0 MAC) opened the scoring for the eighth time this season as their hard pressure in the early going was rewarded in the 26^th minute. BSU forced a corner kick off of its pressure and Katelyn Alexander sent a perfect ball into the box. Midfielder Amy Holst out-jumped the Toledo defenders to head the ball into the back of the net past a diving Jen Whipple for the 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals' pressure continued throughout the game and once again led to the second goal of the afternoon. Forward Sarah Schumacker sent a ball into the box where it came down in between two Toledo players and forward Emily Rein. Rein was able to corral the loose ball and split the two players, including the goalkeeper. She rocketed a shot into the top corner for the two-goal lead in the 50^th minute.

Toledo (4-6-1, 2-1-1 MAC) continued to battle and took advantage of a BSU miscue in the 67^th minute. Sarah Schulte was took a pass from Suzi Siwinksi in between a couple of Cardinals and placed the ball into the back of the net passed Rachael Murphy to narrow the BSU lead to, 2-1.

The Cardinals defense buckled down over the final 23 minutes of the game and kept the Rockets off of the board to secure the victory as BSU out-shot Toledo, 10-8. Murphy finished the afternoon with two saves while Whipple recorded three saves in the loss for Toledo.

Holst and Rein now lead the club with five goals apiece after the victory while Rein has now notched a goal in three straight games for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals will be back in action next weekend as they return home to the friendly confines of the BSU Soccer Field. The Cardinals will host Central Michigan on Friday at 3 p.m. and Eastern Michigan on Sunday at 1 p.m.

####

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Katelyn Alexander

Amy Holst

Rachael Murphy