Sunday, October 24
Muncie, Ind.
2 p.m.
Ball State University
5-9-2, 3-5-2
5
vs
0
Northern Illinois
5-11-2, 2-6-2
1
2
F
Northern Ill.
0
0
0
Ball St.
5
0
5
Offensive Outburst Propels Cardinals Over Huskies
October 24, 2021 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. – It was raining goals on Sunday at the Briner Sports Complex as the Ball State soccer team exploded for five goals on Senior Day. The Cardinals improved to 5-9-2 overall and 3-5-2 in Mid-American Conference play, while Northern Illinois falls to 5-11-2 overall and 2-6-2 in the MAC, behind the BSU 5-0 victory.
On a day where the soccer program honored Grace Alsop, Claudia Como, Sammi Corcoran, Alex DeRuvo, Jenna Dombrowski, Kerrigan Johnson, Tatiana Mason, Kennedy Metzger, Lizzie Philibin, Chelcy Ralph, and Lexy Smith, the Cardinals did not disappoint.
The Cardinals came out firing on all cylinders from the start of the match. The BSU attack had been applying the pressure since the first whistle. In the ninth minute the pressure was so stiff it caused an own goal by NIU.
In the 17th minute, Nicky Potts put a shot on target, but the NIU keeper made the stop. The Husky keeper was unable to control the shot and left a rebound for the Cardinals. Metzger was in the right spot and placed a shot into the back of the net to extend the BSU lead to 2-0.
Shortly after the Cardinal goal, NIU was able to get its first shot on goal, but DeRuvo was up for the challenge and kept the ball out.
At the 24-minute mark, Dombrowski placed a ball on target but was denied by the NIU goalie.
Ball State continued to pressure the NIU defense and in the 29th minute Dombrowski found Avery Fenchel inside the box. Fenchel let a shot rip into the lower near post for a goal. Three minutes later Dombrowski sent a well-placed pass to Lexi Fraley in the box. Fraley took full advantage of the pass and beat the NIU keeper to extend the Cardinal lead to 4-0.
After a cross into the box was sent out by the NIU defense, the Cardinals were awarded a corner kick. Kaitlyn Fraser stepped up to take the corner for BSU. She sent a beautiful ball into the box and Abby Elgert sent a header into the lower right side of the net. Ball State took a 5-0 lead into the half.
The Cardinal defense was stout in the second half and held the Huskies to just one shot, which was not on target. For the game, the BSU defense held NIU to just four shots, with only one of the shots being on target. The Cardinal offense did not disappoint either, as they produced 18 shots, 10 of which were on goal. For the match, Ball State held possession for 68 percent of the time.
The Cardinals return to the friendly confines of the Briner Sports Complex for the season finale against Miami. First touch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28.
From the Coach – Head Coach Josh Rife
"We played really well. We've honesty played similar down the stretch, but the goals just haven't fallen, but today we get five. It was great for them. I thought they executed at a really high level today. I'm really proud and excited for them. We capitalized on our chances today."
From the Student-Athlete – Senior Goalie Alex DeRuvo
"I think it was one of those shutouts that you still had to fight for. I still had to make the necessary saves. It might not be Senior Day against Miami, but we need to bring what we brought today. Being able to do what we did today, put some goals up and get a shutout would be awesome."
From the Student-Athlete – Senior Kennedy Metzger
"I think this is my second goal of the season, so it's nice that it came on Senior Day and from Nicky Potts, who is also a senior. We had something still left to prove. We have to play every minute like it's the last for some of us seniors. We gave it our all and got the job done."
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On a day where the soccer program honored Grace Alsop, Claudia Como, Sammi Corcoran, Alex DeRuvo, Jenna Dombrowski, Kerrigan Johnson, Tatiana Mason, Kennedy Metzger, Lizzie Philibin, Chelcy Ralph, and Lexy Smith, the Cardinals did not disappoint.
The Cardinals came out firing on all cylinders from the start of the match. The BSU attack had been applying the pressure since the first whistle. In the ninth minute the pressure was so stiff it caused an own goal by NIU.
In the 17th minute, Nicky Potts put a shot on target, but the NIU keeper made the stop. The Husky keeper was unable to control the shot and left a rebound for the Cardinals. Metzger was in the right spot and placed a shot into the back of the net to extend the BSU lead to 2-0.
Shortly after the Cardinal goal, NIU was able to get its first shot on goal, but DeRuvo was up for the challenge and kept the ball out.
At the 24-minute mark, Dombrowski placed a ball on target but was denied by the NIU goalie.
Ball State continued to pressure the NIU defense and in the 29th minute Dombrowski found Avery Fenchel inside the box. Fenchel let a shot rip into the lower near post for a goal. Three minutes later Dombrowski sent a well-placed pass to Lexi Fraley in the box. Fraley took full advantage of the pass and beat the NIU keeper to extend the Cardinal lead to 4-0.
After a cross into the box was sent out by the NIU defense, the Cardinals were awarded a corner kick. Kaitlyn Fraser stepped up to take the corner for BSU. She sent a beautiful ball into the box and Abby Elgert sent a header into the lower right side of the net. Ball State took a 5-0 lead into the half.
The Cardinal defense was stout in the second half and held the Huskies to just one shot, which was not on target. For the game, the BSU defense held NIU to just four shots, with only one of the shots being on target. The Cardinal offense did not disappoint either, as they produced 18 shots, 10 of which were on goal. For the match, Ball State held possession for 68 percent of the time.
The Cardinals return to the friendly confines of the Briner Sports Complex for the season finale against Miami. First touch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28.
From the Coach – Head Coach Josh Rife
"We played really well. We've honesty played similar down the stretch, but the goals just haven't fallen, but today we get five. It was great for them. I thought they executed at a really high level today. I'm really proud and excited for them. We capitalized on our chances today."
From the Student-Athlete – Senior Goalie Alex DeRuvo
"I think it was one of those shutouts that you still had to fight for. I still had to make the necessary saves. It might not be Senior Day against Miami, but we need to bring what we brought today. Being able to do what we did today, put some goals up and get a shutout would be awesome."
From the Student-Athlete – Senior Kennedy Metzger
"I think this is my second goal of the season, so it's nice that it came on Senior Day and from Nicky Potts, who is also a senior. We had something still left to prove. We have to play every minute like it's the last for some of us seniors. We gave it our all and got the job done."
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Team Stats
NIU
BSU
Goals
0
5
Shots
4
18
Shots on Goal
1
10
Saves
6
1
Corners
2
11
Fouls
6
8
Scoring Plays
0
GOAL by BSU TEAM.
09:29
Kennedy Metzger (2)
Assisted By: Nicky Potts
GOAL by BSU Metzger, Kennedy Assist by Potts, Nicky.
17:23
Avery Fenchel (2)
Assisted By: Jenna Dombrowski
GOAL by BSU Fenchel, Avery Assist by Dombrowski, Jenna.
29:08
Lexi Fraley (3)
Assisted By: Jenna Dombrowski
GOAL by BSU Fraley, Lexi Assist by Dombrowski, Jenna.
32:42
Abby Elgert (1)
Assisted By: Kaitlyn Fraser
GOAL by BSU Elgert, Abby Assist by Fraser, Kaitlyn.
35:49
Game Leaders
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Soccer
M
/ Soccer
M/D
/ Soccer
GK
/ Soccer
M/D
/ SoccerD
/ SoccerM
/ SoccerF
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M
/ Soccer
D/M
/ Soccer
M/F
/ SoccerD
/ Soccer
D
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M
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M
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D
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