Thursday, March 4
Muncie, Ind.
3:00 PM ET
Ball State University
1-0-0, 1-0-0
2
vs
0
Toledo
0-1-0, 0-1-0
1
2
F
Toledo
0
0
0
Ball St.
2
0
2
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Soccer Starts Strong, Blanks Toledo in Anticipated Opener
March 04, 2021 | Soccer
First-half goals from Shelby Kean, Tatiana Mason lead Cardinals past Rockets
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Shelby Kean and Tatiana Mason scored first-half goals Thursday, as the Ball State soccer team rolled to a 2-0 win over Toledo in a long-awaited season debut at the Briner Sports Complex.
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The Cardinals (1-0), preseason favorites in the MAC West Division, controlled possession for the majority of the game in their first competitive action in 16 months.
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Maitane Bravo made the first start of her BSU career in goal and teamed with Kean the rest of the Cardinals' back line on the shutout of the Rockets (0-1)
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Kean, a key defensive player, got offensive in the 20th minute when Ball State's early pressure resulted in back-to-back corner kicks. Kean came up into the box and headed a perfectly placed feed from Lexy Smith past the Toledo keeper.
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The Cardinals tacked on their second goal just five minutes later when Mason took advantage of a misplay by the Rockets, beat the only defender in front of her, and fired a shot into the corner of the net.
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That proved to be more than enough scoring on this day. Toledo generated some offensive chances near the end of the first half, but Ball State controlled the action completely over the final 45 minutes.
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The Cardinals now hit the road for the first time, traveling for a noon kickoff Sunday at Central Michigan, before returning home for three in a row in this shortened, 10-game season.
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The Cardinals (1-0), preseason favorites in the MAC West Division, controlled possession for the majority of the game in their first competitive action in 16 months.
Â
Maitane Bravo made the first start of her BSU career in goal and teamed with Kean the rest of the Cardinals' back line on the shutout of the Rockets (0-1)
Â
Kean, a key defensive player, got offensive in the 20th minute when Ball State's early pressure resulted in back-to-back corner kicks. Kean came up into the box and headed a perfectly placed feed from Lexy Smith past the Toledo keeper.
Â
The Cardinals tacked on their second goal just five minutes later when Mason took advantage of a misplay by the Rockets, beat the only defender in front of her, and fired a shot into the corner of the net.
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That proved to be more than enough scoring on this day. Toledo generated some offensive chances near the end of the first half, but Ball State controlled the action completely over the final 45 minutes.
Â
The Cardinals now hit the road for the first time, traveling for a noon kickoff Sunday at Central Michigan, before returning home for three in a row in this shortened, 10-game season.
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?? @shelbskean_ scored a sweet first career goal and helped the Cards to a shutout on the back line in today's opener.
She breaks it all down here. ?? pic.twitter.com/MPu0J5cmTj— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) March 4, 2021
?? @BSUCoachRife breaks down his team's season-opening win over Toledo. pic.twitter.com/w4ydfadq6P— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) March 4, 2021
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Team Stats
TOL
BSU
Goals
0
2
Shots
5
8
Shots on Goal
1
5
Saves
3
1
Corners
1
9
Fouls
9
9
Scoring Plays
Shelby Kean (1)
Assisted By: Lexy Smith
GOAL by BSU Kean, Shelby Assist by Smith, Lexy.
19:28
Tatiana Mason (1)
GOAL by BSU Mason, Tatiana.
25:11
Game Leaders
Players
def
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
def
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
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