Ball State University
4-1-1, 4-1-1
Central Michigan
4-2-0, 4-2-0
Cardinals Flip Script on CMU, Ascend to MAC West Lead
March 26, 2021 | Soccer
Goals from Chelcy Ralph, Tatiana Mason help extend BSU unbeaten streak to four
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Earlier this month in Mount Pleasant, Ball State fell behind in the first half, equalized in the second and then surrendered a game-winning goal late in the first overtime period.
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Saturday at the Briner Sports Complex, the Cardinals grabbed the first-half lead, saw the Chippewas match them in the second and then netted their own game-winner late in the first extra frame.
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Chelcy Ralph scored her first career goal, and Tatiana Mason's 98th-minute tally lifted Ball State over Central Michigan and into first place in the MAC West Division standings with four games to play. Nicky Potts assisted on both BSU goals.
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The Cardinals (4-1-1) ran their unbeaten streak to four games, while the Chippewas (4-2-0) had their four-game winning streak snapped.
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"We did a few different things today," BSU head coach Josh Rife said. "I think it put a lot of individual responsibility on folks, and our players just all responded well. Everybody who came on the field stepped in and did a great job. I'm really proud of the ladies for just stepping up in the big moments."
?? Moving pictures from today's big win over CMU.
When you play longer than 90 minutes, it's always nice to finish by storming the field.#ChirpChirp | #WeFly pic.twitter.com/AzoF1pXzUe
— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) March 27, 2021
Ralph put the Cardinals on the board first when she got on the end of a free kick from Potts and headed it past CMU keeper Allison LaPoint in the 19th minute.
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It was a lead Ball State held until the 62nd minute when Central Michigan's Maria Kaschalk snuck one off the hands of BSU keeper Maitane Bravo to even the score.
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The game remained that way until the latter stages of the first overtime period. That's when Potts found Mason breaking free on the left side of the 18-yard box. Mason gathered the pass and beat LaPoint to the right side, causing her teammates to rush the field in jubilation. It was Mason's team-leading third goal of the season.
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The teams were relatively even statistically across the board. Bravo made three saves on the day to earn the win in net. LaPoint was credited with four saves for CMU.
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Ball State will now go on the road for three straight, starting with a Wednesday visit to Toledo. The Cardinals defeated the Rockets 2-0 in Muncie in the season opener.
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?? Tatiana Mason takes you inside the game-winning goal from today's overtime win over CMU. pic.twitter.com/GBsi36Ekv2— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) March 26, 2021
?? "I think they responded amazing." — @BSUCoachRife on today's performance with first place on the line. pic.twitter.com/ewDm4bBbPu— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) March 27, 2021
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Team Stats
Chelcy Ralph (1)
Assisted By: Nicky Potts
GOAL by BSU Ralph, Chelcy Assist by Potts, Nicky.
18:22
Maria Kaschalk (1)
GOAL by CMU Kaschalk, Maria.
61:54
Tatiana Mason (3)
Assisted By: Nicky Potts
GOAL by BSU Mason, Tatiana Assist by Potts, Nicky.
97:35
