Persistent Diceman Nets Two in Shutout of NIU

MUNCIE, Ind. -- It was a long time coming for Melissa Diceman. This college career hasn't always been what she anticipated. A prolific goal scorer coming out of Ontario, she had her sights set on doing more of that for the Ball State soccer team.

Fate had different plans for a while, specifically a pair of ACL tears that kept her from seeing significant time until later in her career in Muncie. She had to wait for those goals to come. And Thursday, on a cold, wet and windy day at the Briner Sports Complex, they finally did.

Diceman found the back of the net twice, once in each half, to account for all the scoring in a 2-0 victory over Northern Illinois.

"I can't really put it into words," she said afterward. "I mean, four years later and I score my first goal. It's crazy, but it's a feeling I'll never forget."

Defensively, Ball State (2-1-1) kept a clean sheet for the third time in four games this season. The Cardinals controlled possession through the vast majority of the game against the Huskies (1-3-0).

??? Highlights from a cold and damp day that felt a little less cold and damp thanks to a win.

Cardinals 2, Huskies 0#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/iemXj5sKVz
— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) March 18, 2021

The attacking mindset led to a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. Tatiana Mason told Diceman to take it. And why not? She was the one who drew the foul just inside the 18-yard box. She felt some nerves, but she stepped up and drilled it home for a 1-0 lead.

Diceman added her second tally in the 59th minute on the back end of some perfectly executed passing. Lexy Smith sent a ball from the back line to the midfield where Nicky Potts flicked it with her head to a hard-charging Diceman. She out-raced an NIU defender to the ball and beat the keeper for a two-goal advantage.

"We've been really pushing how can we create chances, how can we earn ourselves one," BSU head coach Josh Rife said. "Both goals were just kind of a bit of grit and hard work, and I think you generate your own luck. Mel's been working hard and has been really great this year, so we're really happy for her."

Ball State finished with a 16-1 advantage in shots and 5-1 in corner kicks. Over the past two games combined, BSU leads those categories 32-4 and 17-2.

The Cardinals will return to action Sunday on the road against 3-1-0 MAC West Division co-leader Eastern Michigan. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Ypsilanti, Michigan, as both teams wrap up their first of two trips through the division in this 10-game season.

?? "I can't really put it into words. I mean, four years later and I score my first goal. It's crazy, but it's a feeling I'll never forget."@melissadiceman1 scored both goals in today's win. pic.twitter.com/IoYjqd6lXS
— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) March 18, 2021

?? @BSUCoachRife breaks down a 2-0 victory over NIU in cold, wet conditions this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/di6oorXPqF
— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) March 18, 2021

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Team Stats

Melissa Diceman

Lexy Smith

Nicky Potts

Chelcy Ralph

Players Mentioned

Melissa Diceman

Tatiana Mason

Nicky Potts

Lexy Smith

Players Mentioned

Melissa Diceman

Tatiana Mason

Nicky Potts

Lexy Smith