Soccer Opens MAC Play at Bowling Green, Toledo

Game 9
Ball State at Bowling Green
Friday, Sept. 22 (7 p.m.)
Bowling Green, Ohio (Cochrane Stadium)
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Game 10
Ball State at Toledo
Sunday, Sept. 24 (1 p.m.)
Toledo, Ohio (Scott Park)
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The Ball State soccer team begins defense of its back-to-back Mid-American Conference regular season championships on the road this weekend in northwest Ohio. The Cardinals travel to Bowling Green and Toledo to begin their five-week, 11-game conference schedule.

Ball State has been the league's top team over the past two seasons, posting a combined record of 19-2-1 in conference play. The next-best squad during that stretch, Kent State, has posted four fewer wins than the Cardinals.

The 19 league victories are tied for the most ever in a two-year period for a MAC team. Central Michigan did it from 2009-10, and Toledo did it from 2010-11.

Ball State (2-5-1) challenged itself in preparation for another MAC run this season. The Cardinals enter conference play on a high note after registering their highest scoring output of the season in a 3-0 victory over Western Illinois in the final non-conference game.

Sophomore Sam Kambol scored two goals in that contest, and junior Amanda Shaw added one. That pair has accounted for five goals this season. Goalkeepers Alyssa Heintschel and Tristin Stuteville combined on the shutout against WIU. The senior duo has split time in goal this year.

Bowling Green (5-2-0) enters conference play riding a three-game winning streak with victories over Detroit, Wright State and Robert Morris. The Falcons have been the league's highest scoring team during non-conference play, averaging 2.14 goals per game. Skylar Fleak leads the MAC with 15 total points on six goals and three assists.

Toledo (3-4-1) closed non-conference play over the weekend with a 2-0 victory over Valparaiso. The Rockets will open MAC play Friday against Miami before hosting Ball State on Sunday. Toledo has played two RPI top-30 teams, falling 1-0 to Michigan and 4-0 to Notre Dame.

Ball State defeated both of this weekend's opponents last year in Muncie during its school-record 10-game unbeaten streak. The Cardinals beat Bowling Green 2-0 behind goals from Allison Abbe and Julia Elvbo. They topped Toledo 2-1 behind goals from Emily Scott and Gabby Veldman.

BSU is unbeaten in its past eight games against Bowling Green, including six straight victories, and the Cardinals have won the past two meetings with Toledo.

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Players Mentioned

Allison Abbe

Julia Elvbo

Alyssa Heintschel

Sam Kambol

Emily Scott

Amanda Shaw

Tristin Stuteville

Gabby Veldman