MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State soccer team took home a hard fought double overtime scoreless tie against Mid-American Conference foe Northern Illinois on a brisk Friday afternoon at the BSU Soccer Field. The Cardinals are now 7-4-1 overall on the season and 4-0-1 in MAC play. The 4-0-1 record in conference play marks the best conference start for Ball State in program history, surpassing last season's 4-0-0 start.
“We were able to generate chances final third this afternoon against a very good Northern Illinois team, but our final passes were just off the mark today,” second-year head coach Michelle Salmon said. “Our defense continues to turn in impressive performances on a consistent basis and that consistency is what builds tradition in top level programs.”
The Cardinal defense and junior goalkeeper Rachael Murphy (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville) continued their impressive run as Ball State posted its sixth straight shutout, including all five games in MAC play so far this season. The BSU defense only allowed six shots on goal in the game. Murphy was up to the task as she recorded a season-high six saves and recorded her 13th career shutout.
Both teams battled back-and-forth in the first half, with Northern Illinois holding a slim 6-5 advantage on shots in the opening frame. The Huskies had a chance in the 24th minute as Thea Johnson sent a header towards the goal but Murphy was there to tuck the shot away for a save.
The Cardinals came out in the second half and took control of the tempo as they out-shot the Huskies by an 8-4 advantage. Ball State was aggressive from the start of the half as freshman defender Kristina Anderson (Hamilton, Ohio/Badin) sent a shot from the inside the 18-yard box just wide in the 57th minute.
Ball State almost struck against NIU goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock in the 64th minute off of a corner kick. Junior midfielder Katelyn Alexander (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) sent the cross into the box where senior forward Sarah Leibel (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) got a head on the ball. Leibel's shot was heading to the opposite corner before Curnock was able to corral it for the save.
The Cardinals had one last chance in regulation to score the go ahead goal as junior forward Emily Rein (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) sent a shot wide in the 84th minute.
Northern Illinois (5-4-3, 2-2-1 MAC) came out in the overtime period and used the counter attack to generate a couple of chances. NIU forward Jestina Orlando broke down the left side behind the defense and sent a shot to the short side where Murphy was there to smother the key save.
Ball State almost converted at the end of the first overtime as freshman midfielder Cortney Coombs' (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) header in the 98th minute went just wide. Coombs' chance came off of a set free kick just outside the 18-yard box after Anderson made a run from her defender position deep into NIU territory.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Sunday afternoon as they host Western Michigan. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the BSU Soccer Field. Admission is FREE.
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