Ball State University
Kent State
Soccer Bounces Back by Shutting out Kent State
October 12, 2014 | Soccer
KENT, Ohio -- Victoria Jacobs scored the only goal and Alyssa Heintschel recorded her first collegiate shutout Sunday as the Ball State soccer team earned a 1-0 win at Kent State.
It was a key Mid-American Conference road win against a Kent State team that had previously lost only once at home this season. The Cardinals improved to 7-4-2 (3-3 MAC) and remained in the middle of the league race. Kent State dropped to 7-4-3 (2-2-2 MAC).
“I am very pleased with the way we rebounded from some adversity the past two games,” Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. “I couldn't have asked for more spirit from our players. We showed some true characteristics of a winning team.”
Jacobs scored early in the 34th minute when she headed in a corner kick off the foot of Leah Mattingly. It was Jacobs' first goal of the season and the seventh of her career. She became the 13th different Ball State player to score a goal this season.
Defensively, the Cardinals posted their sixth shutout of the year. Heintschel, a freshman from Oregon, Ohio, earned the start and made seven saves to keep the Golden Flashes off the scoreboard. She had previously combined for a shutout with Brooke Dennis, but Sunday marked her first solo shutout.
“Alyssa did a tremendous job in goal,” Roberts said. “She collected crosses dominantly and aggressively. It was a first-class performance.”
The Cardinals faced a 17-7 deficit in total shots but kept Kent State off the board. Gabby Veldman recorded four of the Ball State shots and placed two on goal.
With Sunday's game, Ball State surpassed the halfway point of the conference schedule. The Cardinals return home next weekend for a pair of games, starting Friday at 3:30 p.m. with a rematch of last year's MAC Tournament championship game against Western Michigan.
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