Soccer Rallies Past Loyola In The Second Half

Friday, September 19

Chicago, Ill.

6 p.m. (CT)

Ball State University

Loyola

September 20, 2008 | Soccer

By: Ball State Athletics

CHICAGO, Ill. ? The Ball State soccer team scored three unanswered goals in the second half to rally past 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Loyola, 3-1, on Friday night at the Loyola Soccer Park. The Cardinals scored three goals in the final 35 minutes to claim their third straight victory and improve to 4-3-0 on the season. The victory is also the 100^th career victory for the Ball State soccer program, which is in its 10^th season.

“Tonight was a great win for us as Loyola was our toughest competition of the season so far,” head coach Michael Lovett said. “I am proud of our team for not backing down and fighting back after Loyola scored. We showed a lot of heart today from everyone on the team. Hats off to Loyola for a great game, but we played together as a team and came away with a strong victory.”

Sophomore forward Jacki Eft (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) ignited the Cardinals' attack as she scored two goals. Eft tallied the first two goals of her collegiate career on Friday as she scored back-to-back goals in just under 16 minutes of play.

Loyola, which was coming off of a victory over No. 18 Kansas, came out of the gate and controlled the tempo in the first half against the Cardinals on its home field. The Ramblers held a 6-3 advantage in shots in the first half, but BSU senior goalkeeper Rachael Murphy (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville) posted two key saves in the half.

The two teams regrouped at halftime and came out evenly matched after the break. Loyola carried its momentum from the first half over to the second half and opened the scoring in the 53^rd minute. The Cardinals had a failed clearing attempt that was intercepted by Loyola forward Jackie Vera. Vera ripped a shot into the top corner to give the Ramblers a 1-0 lead.

Ball State showed its mettle though and received a spark from its bench before netting the game-tying goal just minutes later. The Cardinals' put pressure on the Loyola defense and gained a corner kick in the 57^th minute. Sophomore midfielder Meg Mellott (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Ursula) sent the corner kick towards the back post where Eft was left unchecked. Eft drilled a header into the back of the goal past Loyola goalkeeper Katie Groesch to tie the game at 1-1.

The Cardinals carried the momentum from the tying goal and turned it into the game-winning goal in the 73^rd minute. Ball State built the attack from the midfield position as senior Sarah Schumacker (Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield) sent a cross into the box. Freshman Christine Concannon (South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph's) flicked the cross onto Eft who drilled it into the back of the net to give the Cardinals the lead for good.

Ball State picked up an insurance goal and put the game out of reach in the 83^rd minute as sophomore midfielder Cortney Coombs (Cincinnati, Oho/Colerain) pounced on a loose ball 15-yards out and drilled it into the top corner for the 3-1 BSU lead. The goal was the first of Coombs' career as she is the eighth different Cardinal to score so far this season.

Murphy secured the victory down the stretch with a handful of key saves as she finished the night with a season-high seven saves, five of which came in the second half. She improves to 4-2-0 on the season and recorded her 29^th career victory. She is now tied for the Ball State record for victories with former Cardinal Alison Becker.

“Murph made some game-changing saves for us, especially in the second half,” Lovett said. “We never backed down tonight and we will carry this momentum into our game on Sunday at home against Dayton.”

The Cardinals return home to the BSU Soccer Field Sunday afternoon as they host regionally ranked Dayton in their final non-conference game of the season. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

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