Cardinal Soccer a Year in Review

Photo by: Joe Gilbert

June 03, 2022 | Soccer

By: Chad Smith

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State soccer team put together a strong showing on the pitch and in the classroom during the 2021-22 year. The Cardinals also welcomed spectators back to the friendly confines of the Briner Sports Complex during the 2021 campaign.

During the 2021 regular season, the Cardinals posted a 6-9-2 overall record and finished 4-5-2 in Mid-American Conference play. Ball State finished the regular season on a two-match winning streak with wins against NIU and Miami, both at home.

Chelcy Ralph led the Cardinals with nine points, four goals and an assist. Lexi Fraley made her presence known in her first season in Muncie and finished second on the squad with eight points on four goals. Nicky Potts was third on the team in points with six, two goals and two assists. Jenna Dombrowski and Lexy Smith tied for the team lead with three assists each. Tatiana Mason, Avery Fenchel and Kennedy Metzger each added two goals.

BSU landed three on all-conference teams at the end of the regular season. Potts and Emily Simmons were named to the All-MAC Second Team, while Fraley claimed a spot on the MAC All-Freshman Team.

Ball State led all of the MAC schools as 18 members of the soccer team earned spots on the Academic All-MAC Team. Grace Alsop, Maria Broering, Claudia Como, Sammi Corcoran, Melissa Diceman, Dombrowski, Abby Elgert, Fenchel, Mac Henson, Kerrigan Johnson, Shelby Kean, Mason, Metzger, Lizzie Philibin, Potts, Ralph, Simmons, and Smith represented the Cardinals. Ball State produced a combined team GPA of 3.77, including eight student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

The program had the honor of celebrating 10 student-athletes that graduated with a degree from Ball State. Philibin and Potts graduated in the fall, while Alsop, Como, Corcoran, Alex DeRuvo, Kerrigan Johnson, Mason, Metzger and Ralph graduated in the spring. Alsop received a degree in biology. Como, Corcoran, and Metzger earned degrees in speech language pathology. DeRuvo received a degree in marketing. Johnson earned a degree in human resource management. Mason received an exercise science degree. Philibin earned a marketing and business degree. Potts received a health education and promotion degree. Ralph earned a degree in sports administration.

The Cardinals had a unique opportunity to play in the Inaugural Spring Cup. Ball State joined Cincinnati, Dayton, Kentucky, Louisville, Notre Dame, and Xavier as participants in the Spring Cup. The Cardinals picked up a big win against the Dayton Flyers in penalty kicks, 6-5, after a scoreless overtime. Dombrowski was named Woman of the Match after the Dayton match. Ball State put forth a strong showing at Kentucky, as the Cardinals were tied 0-0 at the half with the Wildcats. Dombrowski was joined by Fraley on the Spring Cup All-League Team after their efforts during the Spring Cup. Fraley led Ball State with three goals, while Corcoran, Dombrowski, and Fenchel added a goal each. BSU also collected a 3-0 win over IUPUI during the spring season.

Alsop, Corcoran, Dombrowski, and Smith will return to Ball State and play as fifth year seniors as the Cardinals return a strong group of talented student-athletes. BSU will welcome Delaney Caldwell, Emily Ellis, Grace Konopatzki, Tori Monaco, Acadia Murphy, Emily Roper, and Kira Verburg to Cardinal Nation as they get ready to represent the Cardinals for the upcoming 2022 season.

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