Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
5-2-2 (1-0MAC)
Eastern Michigan
3-5-1 (0-1MAC)
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Michigan | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Ball State | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Soccer Tops Eastern Michigan 2-1 in MAC Opener
September 26, 2015 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State soccer team opened Mid-American Conference play with a 2-1 home victory Friday over Eastern Michigan.
Leah Mattingly's goal in the 75th minute proved to be the game-winner in front of a strong crowd on a perfect night at the Briner Sports Complex. Chelsy Swackhamer scored the first goal for Ball State (5-2-2, 1-0 MAC), marking the third straight game she has found the back of the net.
The Ball State back line put forth another stout effort, allowing just three shots on goal for the game. The only score for Eastern Michigan (3-5-1, 0-1 MAC) came off a corner kick.
“Eastern Michigan is a well-disciplined team,” Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. “They're well-organized. We had to make intelligent runs to get in behind them and to receive. Even when we did that, they closed down very quickly. But we found a way to score the goals, and that's what it's about at the end of the day.”
The game was scoreless until the 38th minute when Swackhamer took a feed from Madison Oyer, beat her defender and fired a shot into the left corner of the goal. But the lead was brief. Eastern Michigan earned a corner kick just two minutes later, and Hallee Kansman headed home Rachel Washburn's cross to even the score.
The game remained knotted up until the 75th minute when the Cardinals converted a corner kick of their own. Lauren Hall served it up, and Mattingly was there to get a head on it and find the net for what proved to be the final score of the night.
“We changed personnel early in the second half, and we started creating more opportunities,” Roberts said. “We just needed to be a little more consistent in the attacking third and be a little more disciplined of defense, and we did that toward the end.”
The Cardinals had 16 shot attempts on the night and numerous quality scoring chances. Elaina Musleh was inches from a goal in the opening 15 minutes, and Swackhamer came even closer when she fired one off the crossbar. The Cardinals also had a goal by Kalynn Flanagan waived off because of an offside call early in the second half.
A key defensive play came on a first-half set piece from Eastern Michigan. Ball State midfielder Chay McNitt stopped a ball at the left corner of the net that would have given the Eagles an early lead.
Friday's home game was just the second of the season for Ball State and the first in a month. It marked the fourth straight year the team has won its opening MAC game.
The Cardinals will go back on the road to close out their conference-opening weekend Sunday with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Bowling Green.
Team Stats
SWACKHAMER, Chelsy (3)
Assisted By: OYER, Madison
beat keeper from right side to far post
37:48
KANSMAN, HALLEE (1)
Assisted By: WASHBURN, RACHEL
scored on header off corner kick
39:46
MATTINGLY, Leah (1)
Assisted By: HALL, Lauren
header off a corner kick
75:00
