Thursday, October 14
Muncie, Ind.
4 p.m.
Ball State University
0
vs
0
Ohio
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Cardinals Battle MAC Leader Bobcats to Draw
October 14, 2021 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State soccer team was back at the friendly confines of the Briner Sports Complex on Thursday for a Mid-American Conference matchup with the Ohio Bobcats. The Cardinals (4-7-2, 2-3-2) and Bobcats (9-4-2, 5-0-2) needed a full 110 minutes, but neither were able to find the back of the net.
The BSU defense was stout to start the match as it did not allow a shot on target until the 31st minute. Alex DeRuvo was up for the task and was able to keep the Ohio shot out of the net.
The Cardinals responded with a shot 30 seconds later, when Lexi Fraley put a ball on net but the OU netminder made the save. In the 36th minute, Avery Fenchel recorded a shot on target, but was unable to beat the Bobcat keeper.
At the 40-minute mark, the Cardinals saw one of their best scoring chances as Chelcy Ralph ripped a shot that beat the Ohio goalie but was on the wrong end of a bounce as her shot hit the post and somehow stayed out of the goal.
In the 67th minute, the Bobcats had a scoring opportunity, but DeRuvo was up for the challenge and kept the match scoreless. Just two minutes later Ohio put another shot on net and like the previous, DeRuvo made the save.
In the 76th minute, Ball State saw its second-best scoring chance as Lexy Smith was able to get a shot by the OU keeper, but an Ohio defenseman managed to keep the ball out of the net. This was the final scoring chance of regulation and the match headed to overtime.
The Bobcats notched the first shot on target in the 93rd minute, but DeRuvo made the save. The staunch Cardinal defense stayed intact for the second overtime as DeRuvo and the other 10 players on the pitch kept the Bobcats off the scoreboard.
For the match, DeRuvo finished with six saves, while her counterpart, Sam Maxwell made two.
Ball State returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 17, for a road contest with the No. 2 team in the MAC in Kent State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
From the Coach – Head Coach Josh Rife
"I thought we were pretty stellar in the first half. We played really well and came out strong. We played with a ton of belief and a lot of heart. I'm really proud of the effort. Obviously, we want to win every match. I'm disappointed to some level with the result, but a shutout against the top team in the conference to a draw and getting a point. It just shows the quality of our group. I know the results haven't been going the way we wanted and that's not because we're not a good team. I think there's still a ton of belief in the group. We are still frustrated and disappointed at times, but they came out today and put a great effort in. We feel on our best day that we can play with anybody."
From the Student-Athletes – Senior Goalkeeper Alex DeRuvo
"They are at the top of the table. I think we were honestly wanting to get a result. Our backline set a goal to record a shutout and we did that. Although we didn't win, we still got a point. We didn't lose focus, we knew what our goal was, and we didn't give up goals. Our backline was really solid today as well, I didn't really have to make diving saves."
From the Student-Athletes – Chelcy Ralph
"We did better than we have been doing, but we still didn't come out with the win. As a team, we are disappointed, but we are pleased with the improvements from the previous two matches and still disappointing that we didn't come away with the three points."
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The BSU defense was stout to start the match as it did not allow a shot on target until the 31st minute. Alex DeRuvo was up for the task and was able to keep the Ohio shot out of the net.
The Cardinals responded with a shot 30 seconds later, when Lexi Fraley put a ball on net but the OU netminder made the save. In the 36th minute, Avery Fenchel recorded a shot on target, but was unable to beat the Bobcat keeper.
At the 40-minute mark, the Cardinals saw one of their best scoring chances as Chelcy Ralph ripped a shot that beat the Ohio goalie but was on the wrong end of a bounce as her shot hit the post and somehow stayed out of the goal.
In the 67th minute, the Bobcats had a scoring opportunity, but DeRuvo was up for the challenge and kept the match scoreless. Just two minutes later Ohio put another shot on net and like the previous, DeRuvo made the save.
In the 76th minute, Ball State saw its second-best scoring chance as Lexy Smith was able to get a shot by the OU keeper, but an Ohio defenseman managed to keep the ball out of the net. This was the final scoring chance of regulation and the match headed to overtime.
The Bobcats notched the first shot on target in the 93rd minute, but DeRuvo made the save. The staunch Cardinal defense stayed intact for the second overtime as DeRuvo and the other 10 players on the pitch kept the Bobcats off the scoreboard.
For the match, DeRuvo finished with six saves, while her counterpart, Sam Maxwell made two.
Ball State returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 17, for a road contest with the No. 2 team in the MAC in Kent State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
From the Coach – Head Coach Josh Rife
"I thought we were pretty stellar in the first half. We played really well and came out strong. We played with a ton of belief and a lot of heart. I'm really proud of the effort. Obviously, we want to win every match. I'm disappointed to some level with the result, but a shutout against the top team in the conference to a draw and getting a point. It just shows the quality of our group. I know the results haven't been going the way we wanted and that's not because we're not a good team. I think there's still a ton of belief in the group. We are still frustrated and disappointed at times, but they came out today and put a great effort in. We feel on our best day that we can play with anybody."
From the Student-Athletes – Senior Goalkeeper Alex DeRuvo
"They are at the top of the table. I think we were honestly wanting to get a result. Our backline set a goal to record a shutout and we did that. Although we didn't win, we still got a point. We didn't lose focus, we knew what our goal was, and we didn't give up goals. Our backline was really solid today as well, I didn't really have to make diving saves."
From the Student-Athletes – Chelcy Ralph
"We did better than we have been doing, but we still didn't come out with the win. As a team, we are disappointed, but we are pleased with the improvements from the previous two matches and still disappointing that we didn't come away with the three points."
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