Milestone Day for Soccer in 2-0 Win at NIU

Sunday, October 9

Dekalb, Ill.

2:00 PM

Ball State University

10-2-2, 5-0-1MAC

Northern Illinois

4-7-2, 3-3MAC

Ball State

NIU

Photo by: Scott McNitt

October 09, 2016 | Soccer

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DEKALB, Ill. -- Sunday was a celebratory kind of day for the Ball State soccer team.

Senior defender Leah Mattingly became the Cardinals' all-time leader in minutes played. Head coach Craig Roberts tied the program record for wins … on his birthday, no less. And sophomore midfielder Emily Scott scored a goal in front of a hometown crowd.

But most importantly, the Cardinals celebrated a 2-0 win at Northern Illinois that kept them undefeated in the Mid-American Conference and ran their unbeaten streak to eight straight games (seven wins and one draw).

Scott and freshman forward Sam Kambol scored the goals, and Ball State (10-2-2, 5-0-1 MAC) posted yet another shutout. Northern Illinois (4-7-2, 3-3-0 MAC) became the latest in a long line of teams that has failed to score against the Cardinals. In fact, seven of the eight opponents during the current streak have gone scoreless.

"We knew it was going to be a physical, testy game," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "I felt we dealt well with their style of play and their long set pieces. We created opportunities and finished them. Sam's goal was a great hit from 25 yards out, and Emily did a great job of closing down her defender and having the composure to finish."

Kambol's 27th-minute goal was the only score of the first half. The game remained 1-0 until the 69th minute when Scott scored off a pass from Peighton Cook to provide a little insurance. Playing not far from her home of Rockford, Illinois, Scott scored for the second straight game. She and Kambol tallied their fourth goals of the year, tying Lauren Roll for the most on the team.

It turns out one goal would again have been enough for Alyssa Heintschel and the Ball State defense. The junior goalkeeper saved the two shots on goal she faced and directed a back line that fought off four corner kicks to keep NIU without a goal.

Roberts was also quick to give credit to the Ball State midfield for helping to control the game.

"The work rate from Paula Guerrero in the central midfield was very good," he said. "Peighton Cook is really stepping up for us, and I felt Kelsey Wendlandt gave us a positive performance, as well. Our consistency was good, and we kept NIU's opportunities to a minimum."

Mattingly entered the day 39 minutes shy of Victoria Jacobs for first place on Ball State's career minutes list and passed her former teammate late in the first half. The Floyds Knobs, Indiana, product has now played 7,112 minutes in a Cardinals uniform.

Announced last week as one of 30 candidates nationwide for the Senior CLASS Award, Mattingly has been a model of consistency. She has played in all 76 games on the back line since she arrived in Muncie and has started every one of them, almost never coming off the field.

"It's a testament to Leah in regard to her consistency, her perseverance and her desire to become the best player she can be," Roberts said. "She epitomizes what it means to be a Ball State soccer player with her dedication, integrity and character. She is a priceless leader for our team."

Roberts, who collected his 100th career victory earlier this season, picked up the 70th win of his Ball State career Sunday. He tied Ron Rainey, the program's first coach from 1999-2005, for the most wins in program history.

Roberts will look to break the record next weekend when his team returns to action at the Briner Sports Complex. The Cardinals host Bowling Green at 4 p.m. Friday and Toledo at 2 p.m. Sunday. Ball State Sports Link will produce both games for ESPN3.