Soccer Tops Ohio to Move to 6-0 in MAC

Sunday, October 11

Muncie, Ind.

2:00 PM

Ball State University

10-2-2 (6-0MAC)

Ohio

4-9 (2-4MAC)

Team	1	2	Final F
Ohio	1	0	1
Ball State	1	1	2

October 11, 2015 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State soccer team stayed perfect in the Mid-American Conference with a 2-1 win Sunday over Ohio to close its weekend at the Briner Sports Complex.

Lorina White and Chelsy Swackhamer scored goals as the Cardinals (10-2-2 overall, 6-0 MAC) ran their winning streak to seven games, one shy of the school record.

“I thought the girls fought very well today,” Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. “I thought we could have quite easily scored a few more, but we have to be better at converting opportunities to put teams away. It was very competitive, and I thought we did really well to complete the game and get the win.”

Ball State fell behind on a goal from Ohio's Stephanie Rowland less than six minutes into the game but locked down the Bobcats (4-9 overall, 2-4 MAC) rest of the way.

White's third goal of the season tied things up in the 25th minute when she fired a shot from the top of the box just off Ohio keeper Taylor Smith's outstretched hands and into the top of the net. On numerous occasions, White pushed the ball deep into the offensive third from her back line spot to create scoring opportunities.

The Cardinals then scored the game-winner on their second penalty-kick chance of the second half after a handball in the box. Swackhamer converted it in the 77th minute for her sixth goal of the year. It was her second game-winner of the weekend.

“I never felt that we were chasing the game,” Roberts said. “I always felt that we were in control, even though we went down on the score line. We kept being consistent with our attacks, and I felt in the first half we could have scored several.”

Ball State finished the game with 20 shots, including 10 on goal, to 10 total shots for Ohio. Smith stood strong for the Bobcats, making eight saves to keep the game tight.

Ohio pushed hard in the closing minutes, looking for a goal to force overtime. Ball State keeper Alyssa Heintschel made a pair of critical saves down the stretch and also batted away a dangerous Ohio corner kick with less than four minutes to play to seal the win.

“I thought Alyssa was excellent,” Roberts said. “She was there with great positioning, good hands, blocking point-blank shots at times. Her commanding of the box was very good. Ohio has scored the majority of their goals on re-starts, and I felt she did really well with those.”

Ball State maintained a 3-point lead over Miami (5-1) for first place in the MAC standings. Only the Cardinals' 2005 team, which began the season 11-3, has posted a better start through 14 games. The 2006 team holds the school record for longest winning streak at eight games, something this year's team now has in its sights.

The Cardinals will head back on the road for two games next weekend, traveling to play Friday evening at Northern Illinois and Sunday afternoon at Western Michigan.