Rookies Light up Scoreboard in Soccer's Win over IUPUI

Sunday, August 21

Muncie, Ind.

2:00 PM

Ball State University

2-0

IUPUI

1-1

IUPUI

Ball State

Rookies Light up Scoreboard in Soccer's Win over IUPUI

August 21, 2016 | Soccer

Box Score PDF Box Score

By: Ball State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Freshman forward Sam Kambol scored a pair of goals Sunday as the Ball State soccer team wrapped up a perfect opening weekend with a 4-1 victory over IUPUI at the Briner Sports Complex.

Fellow freshmen Mónica Padilla and Julia Elvbo also scored their first collegiate goals as the Ball State rookies put on an exhibition. The Cardinals (2-0) found the scoreboard three times in the opening half and cruised against an IUPUI team (1-1) that shut out Valparaiso two days earlier.

Sunday's offensive performance by Ball State came on the heels of a 3-1 victory Friday in its season opener against Eastern Kentucky.

"We did well offensively Friday, and we wanted to push and tweak one or two things," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "I felt like we got stronger, so I was really delighted that we were able to progress again with our offensive threat. We had so many different outlets produce today."

Padilla got the scoring started with a goal in the 26th minute. Fellow Spaniard Paula Guerrero threaded a pass through the top of the box to set her up, and she hammered it home.

Kambol scored her first goal less than seven minutes later, taking a pass near the circle and working her way down the middle of the field past IUPUI defenders before beating the keeper one on one.

Elvbo then completed the first-half scoring on a beautiful play. Kelsey Wendlandt sent a ball into the box for Alessandra Fistrovich, who left it for Elvbo. The freshman from Sweden volleyed it out of the air and into the corner of the net to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.

"Our newcomers are adapting very quickly and showing a lot of maturity," Roberts said. "In addition to that, we were very solid again at the goalkeeping position with Tristin Stuteville in there today. Defensively, I thought we did a good job being consistent all the way through."

The only let up defensively came in the 60th minute when IUPUI's Tori Minnich volleyed home a cross from Maryna Clark to put the Jaguars on the scoreboard.

But Kambol pushed the lead back to three in the 80th minute when she collected a loose ball in the box and finished it off for the final score of the day.

"Sam is an immense athlete who has the ability to beat players one on one," Roberts said. "We are really excited because there is still a lot she can learn. As she picks things up, she's just going to get stronger and stronger. We're excited to have her."

Stuteville made her first regular-season start for the Cardinals and played the full 90 minutes in goal. The transfer from Saint Louis made a pair of saves and directed the defensive efforts to earn the win.

The Ball State defense limited IUPUI to five shots for the game, while the Cardinals registered 22 on the other end. Elvbo and Allison Abbe led the way with three shots each.

Ball State is now halfway through its four-game homestand to begin the season. The Cardinals will be back at the Briner Sports Complex next weekend to host Xavier at 5 p.m. Friday and Fort Wayne at 2 p.m. Sunday.