Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Purdue
Soccer Falls At No. 14 Purdue, 6-1
September 08, 2009 | Soccer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Ball State soccer team dropped its second game in the Boilermaker Challenge Cup Monday evening as the Cardinals suffered a 6-1 defeat to host and No. 14 Purdue at the Varsity Soccer Complex. The loss drops the Cardinals to 0-4-0 on the season while the Boilermakers improve to 5-0-0 on the year.
"I am disappointed with our start tonight and our first half," head coach Michael Lovett said. "We didn't come out with enough passion or drive against a very strong Purdue team. We played better in the second half but our energy was not there in the first half and we can't have a lapse against a nationally ranked team."
Purdue jumped out of the gate quickly on its way to the Boilermaker Challenge Cup championship as it scored four first half goals in the first 28-plus minutes of action. The Boilermakers held an 11-4 lead in shots in the opening frame, including a 6-1 edge in shots on goal.
Ball State regrouped at halftime and came out in the second half with more urgency and quickly turned its effort into a goal in the 51st minute. Junior forward Missy Gordon (Carmel, Ind./Marshall) drew the Cardinals' first penalty kick of the year as she was hauled down in the box after making a great run. Senior midfielder Megan Ridley (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence) stepped forward and drilled the kick form the spot for Ball State's lone goal and her second tally of the year.
Ball State's strong play in the second half was evident as it out-shot the Boilermakers by a 12-11 margin in the frame to finish behind 22-16 for the contest. Purdue added two more goals to round out the second half, including a second goal from Alexis Tryba.
Monday's game was the third meeting all-time between the two instate teams and the first since the Cardinals' upset of then No. 19 ranked Purdue in 2003. Purdue now owns a 2-1-0 advantage all-time in series history.
The Cardinals will return to action Friday night when they travel to regional power Dayton for a 7:30 p.m. start against the Flyers.
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