Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
6-2-2, 2-0-0
Bowling Green
4-5-1, 0-2-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bowling Green | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Soccer Posts 1-0 Shutout at Bowling Green
September 27, 2015 | Soccer
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -- The Ball State soccer team just kept beating on the door Sunday.
Shot after shot, 22 of them in all through the first two-thirds of the game, seemingly refused to find a home in the net. The Cardinals controlled possession and attacked the entire game but had nothing to show for it on the scoreboard.
Then, finally, a breakthrough. The 23rd shot of the day knocked the door down in the 64th minute and lifted Ball State to a 1-0 victory at Bowling Green.
Just like Friday's Mid-American Conference opener against Eastern Michigan, it was a corner kick that led to the decisive goal. Again, it was Lauren Hall who played the ball into the box. But this time it was Lorina White who headed it home.
“Bowling Green was very defensive-minded, really loading up in the box, and it was a case of us having to break it down,” Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. “I was pleased with the waves of attack we produced, and eventually we were able to score. We could have gotten frustrated, but I thought we were relentless and showed a lot of maturity in the way we continued to attack.”
Ball State improved to 6-2-2 overall and remained perfect in MAC play at 2-0, while Bowling Green dropped to 4-5-1 (0-2 MAC). This is the second year in a row Ball State has been 6-2-2 through its opening 10 games.
The Cardinals finished the day with 24 shots to Bowling Green's seven. The Falcons put three of those shots on goal, but Alyssa Heintschel was there for the save on all of them to preserve a shutout. Heintschel and the Ball State back line have held their opponents to one goal or fewer in nine of their 10 games this season.
“Defense starts with the entire team, but you obviously have to have a strong goalkeeper and a strong back line,” Roberts said. “We challenged our team today because, while we have been very good defensively, we have allowed teams to sneak a goal here or there on re-starts. We really wanted to lock down. Alyssa was outstanding today, and the back line was very good.”
Offensively, Ball State had plenty of close calls leading up to the goal, including shots off the crossbar from both Chay McNitt and Leah Mattingly. Elaina Musleh led the team with five shots, while White and Abbie Boswell both put two shots on frame.
The Cardinals also had a chance for an insurance goal later in the second half but could not convert on a penalty kick.
White's goal was her second of the season, while Hall's assist was her third. They combined for the only goal of the day against Bowling Green keeper Lauren Cadel who finished with seven saves.
Ball State will be back on the road again for two conference games next weekend, traveling to play Friday at Toledo and Sunday at Central Michigan.
Team Stats
WHITE, Lorina (2)
Assisted By: HALL, Lauren
header from left side of box off of corn
63:33
