Sunday, March 21
Ypsilanti, Mich.
1:30 PM ET
Ball State University
3-1-1, 3-1-1
2
at
1
Eastern Michigan
3-2-0, 3-2-0
1
2
F
Ball St.
0
2
2
Eastern Mich.
1
0
1
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Soccer Upends Division Co-Leader EMU with Two Second-Half Tallies
March 21, 2021 | Soccer
Mac Henson’s first career goal proves to be the game winner
YPSILANTI, MICH. -- The Ball State soccer team scored twice in the second half to net a 2-1 road win Sunday over an Eastern Michigan team that entered the day with a share of the MAC West Division lead.
Â
Nicky Potts and Mac Henson scored 12 minutes apart, as the Cardinals (3-1-1) overcame a one-goal halftime deficit to jump ahead of the Eagles (3-2-0) in the standings.
Â
"It was a good test for us and a tough, gritty game," BSU head coach Josh Rife said. "You need to be able to win those games. You need to be able to win pretty, and you need to be able to win ugly. I'm  really proud of the group for finding a way to get a win."
Â
Sabrina McNeill's goal for Eastern Michigan was the only scoring in the first half despite Ball State holding an 8-2 advantage in shots.
Â
The Cardinals broke through shortly after the break in the 52nd minute on a perfectly executed 25-yard free kick from Potts to equalize. It was the first goal of the season for Potts, last year's team leader with nine.
Henson then scored in the 63rd minute after a well-organized attack, finishing on a ball from Tatiana Mason to stake the Cardinals to a 2-1 lead they would not lose.
Â
"That was a great build up by the group," Rife said. "We've been working a lot on runs in the box and getting chances out of that. It was a good ball that got to her but a great finish as well. A game-winner for your first collegiate goal is not a bad way to go."
Â
Goalkeeper Maitane Bravo was credited with five saves on the way to earning the win, as the Cardinals completed their first trip through the five MAC West Division opponents. They will play them each once more, starting Friday at 3 p.m. at home against Central Michigan.
Â
The Chippewas enter Friday's matchup leading the division at 4-1-0. Ball State could move ahead of them with a win.
Â
Â
Â
Nicky Potts and Mac Henson scored 12 minutes apart, as the Cardinals (3-1-1) overcame a one-goal halftime deficit to jump ahead of the Eagles (3-2-0) in the standings.
Â
"It was a good test for us and a tough, gritty game," BSU head coach Josh Rife said. "You need to be able to win those games. You need to be able to win pretty, and you need to be able to win ugly. I'm  really proud of the group for finding a way to get a win."
Â
Sabrina McNeill's goal for Eastern Michigan was the only scoring in the first half despite Ball State holding an 8-2 advantage in shots.
Â
The Cardinals broke through shortly after the break in the 52nd minute on a perfectly executed 25-yard free kick from Potts to equalize. It was the first goal of the season for Potts, last year's team leader with nine.
Henson then scored in the 63rd minute after a well-organized attack, finishing on a ball from Tatiana Mason to stake the Cardinals to a 2-1 lead they would not lose.
Â
"That was a great build up by the group," Rife said. "We've been working a lot on runs in the box and getting chances out of that. It was a good ball that got to her but a great finish as well. A game-winner for your first collegiate goal is not a bad way to go."
Â
Goalkeeper Maitane Bravo was credited with five saves on the way to earning the win, as the Cardinals completed their first trip through the five MAC West Division opponents. They will play them each once more, starting Friday at 3 p.m. at home against Central Michigan.
Â
The Chippewas enter Friday's matchup leading the division at 4-1-0. Ball State could move ahead of them with a win.
Â
Â
Team Stats
BSU
EMU
Goals
2
1
Shots
20
9
Shots on Goal
8
6
Saves
5
6
Corners
5
4
Fouls
10
12
Scoring Plays
Sabrina McNeill (5)
Assisted By: Amanda Cripps
GOAL by EMU McNeill, Sabrina Assist by Cripps, Amanda.
28:15
Nicky Potts (1)
GOAL by BSU Potts, Nicky.
51:05
Mac Henson (1)
Assisted By: Tatiana Mason
GOAL by BSU Henson, Mac Assist by Mason, Tatiana.
62:58
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Guests: Mike Uremovich, Addie Chester, and Jeff Mitchell
Thursday, September 04
Women's Soccer // Win vs IU Indy
Tuesday, September 02
Soccer // Season Preview
Thursday, August 07
Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell discusses the NCAA vs. House Settlement
Tuesday, July 01