Soccer Shuts Out Central Michigan, 2-0

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State soccer team used a pair of second-half goals to take down Central Michigan, 2-0, in its first Mid-American Conference home game Friday at the Briner Sports Complex.

Jasmine Moses and Madison Oyer scored for the Cardinals, while Brooke Dennis made seven saves and posted the Cardinals' fifth shutout of the season on a breezy evening.

Ball State improved to 6-2-2 (2-1 MAC), while Central Michigan dropped to 2-8-1 (0-3 MAC). The Cardinals will be home again Sunday to host Toledo at 2 p.m.

Friday's game was scoreless at the half despite Ball State holding a 13-3 advantage in shot attempts with the wind at its back. Central Michigan flipped the script early in the second half with several threatening chances, all of which Dennis managed to turn away.

“I felt the wind was a big factor in this game,” Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. “I think it was a factor in allowing us to dominate the first half. Then they had the wind with them in the second half. We had to adjust our system because they were breaking us down a little bit, but we made some corrections and were able to get out and create opportunities and convert.”

The highlight save of the night came at the 57:07 mark when Dennis dove fully outstretched to deflect a shot from Central Michigan's Laura Gosse that was headed for the right side of the net.

“Brooke had a tremendous game,” Roberts said. “She did exceptionally well. She continued to get her positioning right and commanded the box. She had an exemplary performance all the way through.”

Ball State finally broke through shortly thereafter with a well-organized attack from the left side of the box in the 60th minute. Oyer worked around a defender and sent a pass toward the top to Jenna Finke who delivered a cross toward the far post and Moses.

Moses was one-one-one with the keeper and scored for the second game in a row. It was the 12th career goal for the senior, who ranks seventh in school history.

Oyer then scored a goal of her own, adding some insurance in the 78th minute when she gathered a deflected free kick from Cailey Starck and scored for a two-goal advantage. It was Oyer's third goal of the season, tying her with Gabby Veldman for the team lead.

Central Michigan managed to get a couple shots off in the closing minutes, but the Cardinals kept the Chippewas off the scoreboard to preserve the shutout.

Ball State bounced back from a Sunday loss at Eastern Michigan that snapped its five-game unbeaten streak. Friday's win marked the second straight over Central Michigan for Ball State, which defeated the Chippewas on the road in the quarterfinals of last year's MAC Tournament.

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Players Mentioned

Brooke Dennis

Jenna Finke

Jasmine Moses

Madison Oyer

Cailey Starck