Soccer Starts Quickly in 4-0 Win over Morehead State

Friday, September 16

Muncie, Ind.

5:00 PM

Ball State University

5-2-1

Morehead State

3-4-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Morehead State	0	0	0
Ball State	3	1	4

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Soccer Starts Quickly in 4-0 Win over Morehead State

September 16, 2016 | Soccer

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Cardinals close out non-conference play with record of 5-2-1

MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State soccer team beat Morehead State and darkness Friday night to close non-conference play with a 4-0 victory at the Briner Sports Complex.

The Cardinals celebrated Senior Day prior to the game, honoring Leah Mattingly, Chay McNitt, Gabby Veldman, Kelsey Wendlandt and Lorina White. But the ceremony was all they could get in before lightning promptly delayed the start of the game.

When the teams finally took the field again one hour and 20 minutes later, Ball State (5-2-1) took control early with first-half goals from Allison Abbe, White and Mónica Padilla. Veldman added one more in the second half as the Cardinals cruised past the Eagles (3-4-1) to remain unbeaten at home.

Darkness set in toward the end of the game, but the teams were able to complete the full 90 minutes.

"We talked about today being a special day and that we needed to put on a special performance, especially in terms of attacking," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "We wanted to really commit to finishing shots on goal, and I think the attitude was spot on today."

Ball State was on the attack all night, registering 27 shots and putting 14 of them on goal. The scoring started early when Veldman drew a foul in the box to give Abbe a penalty-kick opportunity in the fourth minute. She converted to stake the Cardinals to a 1-0 lead.

White's goal came 10 minutes later. The senior's mother flew in from New York to see her play for the first time since high school and witnessed quite a show. White took her defender one-on-one to the end line and knocked the ball at a tough angle off the keeper and into the net. It was her third goal of the season and second in the past two games.

The Cardinals' third tally came in the 36th minute at the end of a beautiful set up from Mattingly to Shannon Greeley to Padilla. The shot from Padilla clipped the fingertips of the keeper, glanced off the crossbar and fell into the net.

Ball State later closed the scoring in the 50th minute when Yela Ziswiler's cross was first touched by Wendlandt and then Veldman before finding its way home.

"Collectively, it was a solid performance from every member of the team," Roberts said. "Everyone contributed to what needed to be done. It was another good goalkeeping performance, as well. I thought we were very good all around today."

Ball State held its opponent scoreless for the second straight Friday night. Last week it was on the road at Louisville. Tristin Stuteville was in goal for this shutout, her second of the season, making a pair of saves the only times Morehead State was able to get clean looks. The Eagles managed only three total shots in the game.

The victory was Roberts' 99th as a college head coach. He owns 65 of those, five shy of the program record, in his seven years with the Cardinals.

Ball State will now turn its attention to Mid-American Conference play, beginning its defense of last year's regular season championship. The Cardinals open the league schedule with a home weekend, hosting Buffalo at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and Akron at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.