Soccer Battles To A 2-2 Tie Against Akron

Sunday, October 19

Muncie, Ind.

1 p.m.

Ball State University

Akron

Soccer Falls At Miami In Season Opener, 5-1

October 19, 2008 | Soccer

By: Ball State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State soccer team registered its first tie of the season Sunday afternoon as the Cardinals battled Mid-American Conference foe Akron to a 2-2 deadlock at the BSU Soccer Field. The Cardinals rallied from down a goal twice in the game to pick up the tie despite holding a 30-10 advantage in shots.

“Our team showed a lot of heart to come back from a goal deficit twice today,” head coach Michael Lovett said. “We had 30 shots today and only two goals to show for it. We have to work on our finishing this week because our offense is generating the chances and our defense is playing really well. We know what we need to concentrate on and we will work hard to be ready for next weekend.”

Akron (7-7-1, 2-5-1 MAC) came out of the gate quickly against the Cardinals as the Zips scored one minute into the game on their first shot of the afternoon. Midfielder Jessica Fix was able to find forward Rachel Phillip in behind the Ball State defense and Phillip beat senior goalkeeper Rachael Murphy (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville) to the opposite corner for the early 1-0 Akron lead.

The Cardinals were startled by the early goal, but they found their legs after the first couple of minutes as Ball State out-shot Akron 9-2 in the first half. Sophomore midfielder Meg Mellott (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) had the Cardinals' best chance in the first half as she was in behind the Akron defense, but her breakaway attempt was saved by Akron goalkeeper Katie Davis in the 10^th minute.

Ball State (8-7-1, 4-3-1 MAC) came out of the halftime break energized and quickly evened up the score in the 49^th minute. Senior defender Annie Aiello (Granger, Ind./Penn) was able to split two Akron defenders and find Mellott down the wing with a pass. Mellott cut in from 20-yards out and sent a bending shot to the opposite top corner past Davis for a beautiful goal to tie the game at one apiece.

Akron almost immediately retook the lead in the 51^st minute off of a corner kick. The Cardinals initially cleared the corner kick to the top of the 18-yard box but Adrienne Steckel ripped a shot towards the goal but Aiello was able to save it off of the line for a team save to keep the game tied.

The Zips were able to take their second lead of the game in the 69^th minute as Britni Back beat Murphy with a shot from 15-yards out for her eighth goal of the season. The Cardinals showed their mettle and responded for the second time in the contest with a goal just 55 seconds later.

Aiello took the ball from her defense position and beat three Akron defenders all the way to the end line. She sent a cross into the box that senior forward Emily Rein (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) was able to get a foot on to redirect it to senior midfielder Bailey Decker (Granger, Ind./Penn). Decker drilled the ball into the back of the net in a cluster of players to tie the game at 2-2.

Murphy came up with a big save in the 72^nd minute as she thwarted Liz Haney from 10-yards out. The Zips came within inches in the 82^nd minute as Jessica Fix had a shot from 25-yards go off of the cross bar.

Senior defender Sarah Schumacker (Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield) almost ended the game in the last minute of regulation as her shot from 18-yards sailed just over the cross bar after initially beating Davis. The Cardinals out-shot Akron by a 15-7 margin in the second half.

Ball State had the best chance in the first overtime as senior midfielder Katelyn Alexander (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) found some space just inside the box in the 97^th minute. Alexander's shot sailed just high of the goal to send the game into the second overtime.

The Cardinals look as if they were going to win the game in the 106^th minute as Mellott once again found an opening. Mellott ripped a bending shot from 20-yards out that was destined for the top corner, but Davis made a phenomenal diving save to push the shot over the cross bar and secure the tie for Akron.

Davis finished the game with seven saves for the Zips while Murphy picked up three saves for BSU. Mellott paced the Cardinals' attack as she recorded seven shots, five of which were on goal, while Alexander also tallied seven shots in the tie.

The Cardinals honored their 2008 senior class prior to Sunday's game as all eight seniors were recognized in the ceremony including student manager Emily Hollingsworth, defender Annie Aiello, midfielder Katelyn, midfielder Bailey Decker (Granger, Ind./Penn), goalkeeper Rachael Murphy, forward Emily Rein, defender Sarah Schumacker and defender Jen Vilkoski (Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield).

Ball State will return to action next weekend as it hits the road for two games. The Cardinals will travel to Western Michigan Friday afternoon before facing Northern Illinois Sunday afternoon.

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