Sunday, October 29
Muncie, Ind.
1:00 PM
Ball State University
11-6-3
2
vs
1
Northern Illinois
8-10-1
1
2
F
Northern Illinois
0
1
1
Ball State
2
0
2
Photo by: Scott Mattlin
Soccer Advances to MAC Semifinals with 2-1 Win over NIU
October 29, 2017 | Soccer
Roll, Elvbo score goals; Cardinals to meet No. 3 seed Toledo Friday in Kent, Ohio
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State soccer team is moving on to the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals after a 2-1 victory Sunday over Northern Illinois at the Briner Sports Complex.
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The Cardinals led 2-0 at halftime on goals from midfielders Lauren Roll and Julia Elvbo and held off the Huskies in the second half to advance.
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No. 2 seed Ball State (11-6-3) will take on No. 3 seed Toledo in Friday's semifinal round in Kent, Ohio. Top-seeded Kent State advanced Sunday on penalty kicks and will host the remainder of the tournament on its home field at Dix Stadium.
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Roll struck first in the 28th minute Sunday with her fourth goal of the season. The sophomore beat her defender on-on-one and then found the tiniest opening around NIU keeper Amy Annala and a Huskie defender to put the Cardinals on top 1-0.
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Elvbo's goal came seven minutes later. Paula Guerrero sent the ball to Elvbo, who deflected a shot into the net for her fifth score of the year to give the Cardinals a two-goal advantage.
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"Our strong desire to win this game today really showed in the way the girls came out and pushed," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "We were just going to attack the way we attack. We have a versatile attack, and it showed again today."
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The 2-0 lead stood until the 73rd minute when Northern Illinois broke through. Allie Ingham fired a shot from 18 yards out and into the top of the net to make things interesting coming down the stretch.
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Ball State nearly answered right away but had a goal disallowed for offsides.
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The Huskies (8-10-1) continued to press in search of an equalizing goal. Ball State faced a free kick from a dangerous spot and two corner kicks, all in the final three minutes, but was able to fend off each of them.
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After surrendering two set-piece goals in the first meeting with NIU this year, Ball State was able to successfully defend those plays in Sunday's rematch.
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Senior goalkeeper Tristin Stuteville made three saves to earn the win and also came off her line to play several threatening crosses from the Huskies.
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"We knew they were going to throw a lot of long balls and be very direct as they have been in the past," Roberts said. "We remained composed and disciplined and kept good concentration. I thought we were superb today at defending a team that is very hard to defend on set pieces."
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The top four seeds all advanced through Sunday's quarterfinals. Ball State's Friday matchup with Toledo will be one of two semifinals that day in Kent, Ohio. Kent State and Bowling Green will meet in the other.
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The Cardinals led 2-0 at halftime on goals from midfielders Lauren Roll and Julia Elvbo and held off the Huskies in the second half to advance.
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No. 2 seed Ball State (11-6-3) will take on No. 3 seed Toledo in Friday's semifinal round in Kent, Ohio. Top-seeded Kent State advanced Sunday on penalty kicks and will host the remainder of the tournament on its home field at Dix Stadium.
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Roll struck first in the 28th minute Sunday with her fourth goal of the season. The sophomore beat her defender on-on-one and then found the tiniest opening around NIU keeper Amy Annala and a Huskie defender to put the Cardinals on top 1-0.
Â
Elvbo's goal came seven minutes later. Paula Guerrero sent the ball to Elvbo, who deflected a shot into the net for her fifth score of the year to give the Cardinals a two-goal advantage.
Â
"Our strong desire to win this game today really showed in the way the girls came out and pushed," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "We were just going to attack the way we attack. We have a versatile attack, and it showed again today."
Â
The 2-0 lead stood until the 73rd minute when Northern Illinois broke through. Allie Ingham fired a shot from 18 yards out and into the top of the net to make things interesting coming down the stretch.
Â
Ball State nearly answered right away but had a goal disallowed for offsides.
Â
The Huskies (8-10-1) continued to press in search of an equalizing goal. Ball State faced a free kick from a dangerous spot and two corner kicks, all in the final three minutes, but was able to fend off each of them.
Â
After surrendering two set-piece goals in the first meeting with NIU this year, Ball State was able to successfully defend those plays in Sunday's rematch.
Â
Senior goalkeeper Tristin Stuteville made three saves to earn the win and also came off her line to play several threatening crosses from the Huskies.
Â
"We knew they were going to throw a lot of long balls and be very direct as they have been in the past," Roberts said. "We remained composed and disciplined and kept good concentration. I thought we were superb today at defending a team that is very hard to defend on set pieces."
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The top four seeds all advanced through Sunday's quarterfinals. Ball State's Friday matchup with Toledo will be one of two semifinals that day in Kent, Ohio. Kent State and Bowling Green will meet in the other.
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Team Stats
NIU
BSU
Goals
1
2
Shots
8
11
Shots on Goal
4
8
Saves
6
3
Corners
6
5
Fouls
14
13
Scoring Plays
ROLL, Lauren (4)
made 1v1 move and fired past keeper
27:41
TEAM
Cross from #17 kicked into goal by NIU p
34:35
INGHAM,ALLIE (3)
scored from top of box over keeper
72:52
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M/F
/ SoccerM
/ SoccerM
/ Soccer
GK
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