Ball State University Athletics
Soccer Ink Five on Signing Day
November 11, 2021 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. – Head Coach Josh Rife and the Ball State soccer team announced the addition of five student-athletes who signed with the Cardinals on Thursday.
The 2022 class features five outstanding student-athletes from the states of Indiana and Michigan. The squad brings in a plethora of experience across three positions, forward, midfield, and defense, and will provide some added depth.
"We know that the recruiting process for 2022's has been anything but normal," said Coach Rife. "That being said, this group has been steadfast through it all. I think that says a lot about them as people. Even more than their soccer abilities, it's the character of these ladies that is impressive. We look forward to getting them here and integrated with our current team."
Delaney Caldwell
Chelsea, Michigan | Saline High School | Forward
"Delaney has been someone who continues to impress our staff every time we go watch her play. She is a natural goal scorer who has a variety of ways in which she can finish. That attribute combined with her tireless effort makes her extremely dangerous."
Delaney on why she chose Ball State
"I chose Ball State for the great relationships the coaches built with me and the sense of family within the team. The athletic success and facilities also drew me to come to Ball State."
Emily Ellis
Fishers, Indiana | Columbus North High School | Midfielder
"Emily is going to be a great addition to our team. She is gritty, tenacious and has a tremendous work rate. She has the versatility to play several positions and her club success will help her as she transitions to the college game."
Emily on why she chose Ball State
"I chose Ball State because it felt like home away from home every time I stepped on campus. Ball State had the exact major I wanted with a very competitive soccer program. The girls on the team are amazing and the coaching staff feels like family!"
Acadia Murphy
Dexter, Michigan | Dexter High School | Defender
"We're excited to add Cadi to our team. As a center back she has a balance of soccer savviness and toughness. She's had the opportunity to play different positions over the past year, which has only helped develop her game further."
Acadia on why she chose Ball State
"The recruiting process, the coaching staff, and the team sealed the deal for me. I also loved the campus, and it was a good distance from home."
Emily Roper
Carmel, Indiana | Carmel High School | Forward/Midfielder
"Emily has some natural attributes that will bring a different look to our front line. She is great in the air and loves the physicality of the game. As a multi-sport athlete who will now be turning her focus to one sport, we're looking forward to her growth."
Emily on why she chose Ball State
"It is close to home, and I wanted to continue my athletic career."
Kira Verburg
Avon, Indiana | Avon High School | Midfielder
"Kira is an exciting, explosive player who can play several positions. She has a great engine and can be extremely disruptive to opposing teams. We're looking forward to getting her here with our team."
Kira on why she chose Ball State
"I really like the team and coaching atmosphere on the soccer team. It's relatively close to home and they have a program that'll help prepare for Vet School."
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The 2022 class features five outstanding student-athletes from the states of Indiana and Michigan. The squad brings in a plethora of experience across three positions, forward, midfield, and defense, and will provide some added depth.
"We know that the recruiting process for 2022's has been anything but normal," said Coach Rife. "That being said, this group has been steadfast through it all. I think that says a lot about them as people. Even more than their soccer abilities, it's the character of these ladies that is impressive. We look forward to getting them here and integrated with our current team."
Delaney Caldwell
Chelsea, Michigan | Saline High School | Forward
- Three-time Midwest Conference Champion
- All-Conference second team
- Four-time Academic Honor Roll
- 25 goals
- Helped her high school go 10-0-2 her junior year
"Delaney has been someone who continues to impress our staff every time we go watch her play. She is a natural goal scorer who has a variety of ways in which she can finish. That attribute combined with her tireless effort makes her extremely dangerous."
Delaney on why she chose Ball State
"I chose Ball State for the great relationships the coaches built with me and the sense of family within the team. The athletic success and facilities also drew me to come to Ball State."
Welcome to Cardinal Nation Delaney Caldwell!!! We're excited to have you join our family!!!
• 3X Midwest Conference Champion
• All-Conference second team
• 4X Academic Honor Roll#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/n6YxfiOpXL— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) November 11, 2021
Emily Ellis
Fishers, Indiana | Columbus North High School | Midfielder
- Two-time Academic All-State
- All-Conference first team
- All-Area first team
- All-District second team
- Summa Cum Laude for three years at Hamilton Southeastern
- Academic Honor Roll for four years
- Hoosier Crossroads Conference Champions as a freshman at Hamilton Southeastern
- Conference Indiana Champions as a senior at Columbus North
- Sectional Champions as a senior
- Regional Semifinalist as a senior
- 12 goals
- Nine assists
- 33 points (second on Columbus North)
"Emily is going to be a great addition to our team. She is gritty, tenacious and has a tremendous work rate. She has the versatility to play several positions and her club success will help her as she transitions to the college game."
Emily on why she chose Ball State
"I chose Ball State because it felt like home away from home every time I stepped on campus. Ball State had the exact major I wanted with a very competitive soccer program. The girls on the team are amazing and the coaching staff feels like family!"
Welcome to Cardinal Nation @emilyellis1210!!! We're excited to have you join our family!!!
•2X Academic All-State
•All-Conference first team
•All-Area first team
•All-District second team#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/YgqSH4hAzS— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) November 10, 2021
Acadia Murphy
Dexter, Michigan | Dexter High School | Defender
- All-State second team
- All-Conference first team
- All-District first team
- National Honor Society member
- Seven goals
"We're excited to add Cadi to our team. As a center back she has a balance of soccer savviness and toughness. She's had the opportunity to play different positions over the past year, which has only helped develop her game further."
Acadia on why she chose Ball State
"The recruiting process, the coaching staff, and the team sealed the deal for me. I also loved the campus, and it was a good distance from home."
Welcome to Cardinal Nation @MurphyAcadia!!! We're excited to have you join our family!!!
•All-State second team
•All-Conference first team
•All-District first team#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/LGDASJ6BRN— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) November 10, 2021
Emily Roper
Carmel, Indiana | Carmel High School | Forward/Midfielder
- All-State first team
- All-Conference first team
- All-American watchlist
- State champion
- Two-time State runner-up
- Academic All-State first team
- Scholar Athlete
- National Honor Society member
- 39 goals
- 18 assists
- 96 points
"Emily has some natural attributes that will bring a different look to our front line. She is great in the air and loves the physicality of the game. As a multi-sport athlete who will now be turning her focus to one sport, we're looking forward to her growth."
Emily on why she chose Ball State
"It is close to home, and I wanted to continue my athletic career."
Welcome to Cardinal Nation Emily Roper!!! We're excited to have you join our family!!!
•All-State first team
•All-Conference first team
•All-American watchlist
•State champion
•2X State runner-up#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/aQ6hkgXW5a— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) November 11, 2021
Kira Verburg
Avon, Indiana | Avon High School | Midfielder
- Two-time Academic All-State
- Two-time All-Conference first team
- All-Conference honorable mention
- Three-time All-County first team
- Sectional finalist
- Two-time sectional champion
- Two-time regional finalist
- 2021 state qualifier as a member of the 4x100m relay on the track team
- Student of the Year in Biology as a freshman
"Kira is an exciting, explosive player who can play several positions. She has a great engine and can be extremely disruptive to opposing teams. We're looking forward to getting her here with our team."
Kira on why she chose Ball State
"I really like the team and coaching atmosphere on the soccer team. It's relatively close to home and they have a program that'll help prepare for Vet School."
Welcome to Cardinal Nation Kira Verburg!!! We're excited to have you join our family!!!
•2X Academic All-State
•2X All-Conference first team
•All-Conference honorable mention
•3X All-County first team#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/u3O9jKe499— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) November 11, 2021
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