Friday, September 1
Forth Worth, Texas
7:00 PM CT (8:00 ET)
Ball State University
1-3-1
1
at
2
TCU
4-1-0
1
2
F
Ball State
1
0
1
TCU
2
0
2
Photo by: Marcus Snowden
Soccer Fights Back in 2-1 Loss at TCU
September 01, 2017 | Soccer
Amanda Shaw scores first career BSU goal in 25th minute
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Ball State soccer team faced a difficult challenge Friday night at TCU.
The Cardinals were already on the road, taking on a Big 12 Conference opponent that played in last season's NCAA Tournament. On top of that, they suddenly found themselves down two goals just 20 minutes in.
But there was no panic. And while the final result was not a victory, the Cardinals (1-3-1) more than held their own over the final 70 minutes of a 2-1 loss at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.
"We played hard," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "We saw positive things. We need to get to the point where we are starting games as well as we are finishing them, and then we'll be at the right place. We're not peaking yet."
TCU (4-1-0) had outscored its opponents by a 12-2 margin entering Friday's game and was hopeful there was more where that came from after registering two early goals.
The Horned Frogs broke through in the 10th minute on a goal from Emma Heckendorn and then added another score in the 20th minute when Heckendorn set up Allison Ganter.
TCU had most of the attacking chances during those opening 20 minutes, but then Ball State started to flip the script. It didn't take long for the Cardinals to get on the board.
Amanda Shaw pulled Ball State back within one goal in the 25th minute when the Missouri transfer netted her first score of the year. Evie Stepaniak beat her defender and fired a pass across the box to Shaw who was there to finish.
The Cardinals started to buckle down defensively, too. After allowing four shots in the first 20 minutes, Ball State held TCU to that same number over the final 70. BSU ended the day with a 10-8 edge in shots, and both teams placed five on goal.
The Cardinals also lobbied for a penalty kick during the second half for an apparent handball in the box, but the whistle was not blown.
"I thought we really put TCU on their heels at times," Roberts said. "Amanda Shaw came into the game and made a huge impact. Lauren Roll impacted the game, and Tristin (Stuteville) made some good saves."
Stuteville stood strong in the box to keep the Cardinals within striking distance. The senior goalkeeper made three saves on the night but also took charge to bat away several threatening crosses in the second half to keep TCU from adding to its lead.
Still trailing 2-1, Ball State ramped up its attack down the stretch. The Cardinals earned a pair of corner kick chances over the final 10 minutes but could not convert. Shots on goal from Paula Guerrero, Taylor Pooley and Roll during that stretch were all saved as the Horned Frogs held on.
Ball State will remain in Texas this weekend to take on another Big 12 opponent. BSU will visit Baylor for an 11:30 a.m. CT (12:30 p.m. ET) kickoff Sunday.
The Cardinals will look to regain their legs after a hard-fought game and a long travel experience the day before. A flight cancelation turned Thursday's travel into roughly a 15-hour process to get Ball State from Muncie to Fort Worth.
"I think the travel took its toll a little bit, but we were able to speak to the girls at a water break and rejuvenate them," Roberts said. "We went right back out and scored a goal. We had to face some challenges tonight, and we fared well. But we have to be able to get off to a better start."
The Cardinals were already on the road, taking on a Big 12 Conference opponent that played in last season's NCAA Tournament. On top of that, they suddenly found themselves down two goals just 20 minutes in.
But there was no panic. And while the final result was not a victory, the Cardinals (1-3-1) more than held their own over the final 70 minutes of a 2-1 loss at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium.
"We played hard," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "We saw positive things. We need to get to the point where we are starting games as well as we are finishing them, and then we'll be at the right place. We're not peaking yet."
TCU (4-1-0) had outscored its opponents by a 12-2 margin entering Friday's game and was hopeful there was more where that came from after registering two early goals.
The Horned Frogs broke through in the 10th minute on a goal from Emma Heckendorn and then added another score in the 20th minute when Heckendorn set up Allison Ganter.
TCU had most of the attacking chances during those opening 20 minutes, but then Ball State started to flip the script. It didn't take long for the Cardinals to get on the board.
Amanda Shaw pulled Ball State back within one goal in the 25th minute when the Missouri transfer netted her first score of the year. Evie Stepaniak beat her defender and fired a pass across the box to Shaw who was there to finish.
The Cardinals started to buckle down defensively, too. After allowing four shots in the first 20 minutes, Ball State held TCU to that same number over the final 70. BSU ended the day with a 10-8 edge in shots, and both teams placed five on goal.
The Cardinals also lobbied for a penalty kick during the second half for an apparent handball in the box, but the whistle was not blown.
"I thought we really put TCU on their heels at times," Roberts said. "Amanda Shaw came into the game and made a huge impact. Lauren Roll impacted the game, and Tristin (Stuteville) made some good saves."
Stuteville stood strong in the box to keep the Cardinals within striking distance. The senior goalkeeper made three saves on the night but also took charge to bat away several threatening crosses in the second half to keep TCU from adding to its lead.
Still trailing 2-1, Ball State ramped up its attack down the stretch. The Cardinals earned a pair of corner kick chances over the final 10 minutes but could not convert. Shots on goal from Paula Guerrero, Taylor Pooley and Roll during that stretch were all saved as the Horned Frogs held on.
Ball State will remain in Texas this weekend to take on another Big 12 opponent. BSU will visit Baylor for an 11:30 a.m. CT (12:30 p.m. ET) kickoff Sunday.
The Cardinals will look to regain their legs after a hard-fought game and a long travel experience the day before. A flight cancelation turned Thursday's travel into roughly a 15-hour process to get Ball State from Muncie to Fort Worth.
"I think the travel took its toll a little bit, but we were able to speak to the girls at a water break and rejuvenate them," Roberts said. "We went right back out and scored a goal. We had to face some challenges tonight, and we fared well. But we have to be able to get off to a better start."
Team Stats
BSU
TCU
Goals
1
2
Shots
10
8
Shots on Goal
5
5
Saves
3
4
Corners
3
7
Fouls
14
8
Scoring Plays
Heckendorn, Emma (3)
Assisted By: Hill, Kayla , Ganter, Allison
GIVE AND GO
9:50
Ganter, Allison (2)
Assisted By: Ryan, Yazmeen , Heckendorn, Emma
CROSS
19:30
SHAW, Amanda (1)
Assisted By: STEPANIAK, Evie
SHOT FROM MIDDLE OF THE 6
24:46
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
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