Ball State University Athletics
Friday, September 16
Muncie, Ind.
5:00 PM
Ball State University
vs
Morehead State
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Soccer to Honor Seniors Friday in Non-Conference Finale
September 14, 2016 | Soccer
Cardinals set to meet Morehead State for third straight season
Game 8
Ball State vs. Morehead State
Friday, Sept. 16 (5 p.m.)
Muncie, Ind. (Briner Sports Complex)
After three straight games on the road, the Ball State soccer team returns to the Briner Sports Complex for its final tuneup before Mid-American Conference play begins.
As they did two years ago, the Cardinals will celebrate Senior Day in conjunction with the non-conference finale. The team's five seniors -- Leah Mattingly, Chay McNitt, Gabby Veldman, Kelsey Wendlandt and Lorina White -- will be recognized during the starting lineups Friday.
With roughly two-thirds of their senior season left to play, this year's senior class has already racked up some major accomplishments. Among them: three straight double-digit win seasons, 40 total victories and a MAC regular season championship.
Before they begin their quest for another title, the Cardinals will square off with a familiar non-conference opponent. Ball State (4-2-1) and Morehead State (3-3-1) will be meeting for the third straight season.
The teams played to a 2-2 draw in Muncie two years ago. Last year at Morehead, Ball State scored three times in the final 21 minutes to win 3-1.
Morehead State split a pair of games last weekend with a 2-1 home win over Western Carolina and a 2-0 road loss at Western Kentucky. Ashley Ritchie leads the Eagles offensively with three goals, while three different MSU goalkeepers have combined for a 1.22 goals against average.
Ball State won its only game last weekend, knocking off Louisville 1-0 in double overtime. With the game heading for a scoreless tie, White scored in the 108th minute to give the Cardinals their first win over an ACC opponent.
In fact, the victory was only the third ever by a MAC team over an ACC foe (Kent State scored the fourth two days later against Pittsburgh).
Alyssa Heintschel, who played the full 90 minutes in goal against Louisville and made a career-high 11 saves, has been racking up the awards this week. The 4.0 chemistry student was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week and the MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week for her performance.
Heintschel and fellow junior Tristin Stuteville have shared time in goal this season with each performing well to help Ball State get its season started right.
Friday's contest with Morehead State will kick off a three-game homestand for the Cardinals. The team will open MAC play next weekend with home games against Buffalo and Akron.
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