Ball State University Athletics
Thursday, August 18
Lexington, Ky.
7 p.m.
Ball State University
at
Kentucky
Photo by: Joe Gilbert
Cardinals Open 2022 Campaign on the Road
August 16, 2022 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State soccer team begins the 2022 season on the road with a tough test against Kentucky on Thursday, Aug. 18, followed by a match at Queens on Sunday, Aug. 21. The Cardinals look to improve on a 6-9-2 overall mark from last season.
Head Coach Josh Rife enters his fourth season at the helm of the BSU soccer program. In three seasons in Muncie, the Cardinals have a 27-17-3 recorded under Rife's tutelage.
Ball State lost its leading scorer in Chelcy Ralph, who tallied nine points on four goals and an assist. The Cardinals graduated Tatiana Mason and Nicky Potts, who rank sixth and ninth, respectively, in Ball State history in points scored. Mason is also tied for sixth in BSU history with 14 career goals, while Potts is tied for 11th with 12 goals.
The Cardinals will have some big shoes to fill, but a talented group looks to step-up with the open opportunity. Ball State returns four fifth-year players in Grace Alsop, Sammi Corcoran, Jenna Dombrowski, and Lexy Smith, all of which compiled over 1,230 minutes of action each. All four were vital cogs in the BSU defense last season, as well as combining for a total of 12 points between them. Sophomore Lexi Fraley leads all returners with eight points, with four goals.
The Cardinals brought in eight freshman and one graduate transfer to help provide depth at needed positions.
Ball State and Kentucky will meet for the first time in program history on Thursday night. The Wildcats are led by Jordyn Rhodes, who finished second in the SEC with 11 of the team's 16 goals. She earned All-SEC Second Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team accolades for her efforts during the 2021 campaign. Kentucky also returns Hannah Richardson who was the second on the team in points with five, two goals and an assist. Troy Fabiano is in his first season as the head coach for the Wildcats.
Ball State and Kentucky are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time on Thursday. The match can be seen on the SEC Network+.
The Cardinals and the Royals of Queens will also meet for the first time in program history. The Royals will be competing in their first season at the NCAA DI level. Queens returns two of their top three points scorers from last season. Mia Manuel led the squad with 12 points, on six goals, while Nia Gaither was tied for second on the team with 11 points, five goals and one assist.
The Cardinals and Royals are slated for a 10 a.m. kick on Sunday, Aug. 21.
From the Coach – Head Coach Josh Rife
"We're excited for the opening weekend. This will be a great test for us. Going on the road is always difficult, but we feel it will help prepare us for the season ahead. The group has been working hard, the returning players continue to push the standard and the new players have adjusted quickly. We will definitely learn a lot about ourselves coming out of this weekend."
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Head Coach Josh Rife enters his fourth season at the helm of the BSU soccer program. In three seasons in Muncie, the Cardinals have a 27-17-3 recorded under Rife's tutelage.
Ball State lost its leading scorer in Chelcy Ralph, who tallied nine points on four goals and an assist. The Cardinals graduated Tatiana Mason and Nicky Potts, who rank sixth and ninth, respectively, in Ball State history in points scored. Mason is also tied for sixth in BSU history with 14 career goals, while Potts is tied for 11th with 12 goals.
The Cardinals will have some big shoes to fill, but a talented group looks to step-up with the open opportunity. Ball State returns four fifth-year players in Grace Alsop, Sammi Corcoran, Jenna Dombrowski, and Lexy Smith, all of which compiled over 1,230 minutes of action each. All four were vital cogs in the BSU defense last season, as well as combining for a total of 12 points between them. Sophomore Lexi Fraley leads all returners with eight points, with four goals.
The Cardinals brought in eight freshman and one graduate transfer to help provide depth at needed positions.
Ball State and Kentucky will meet for the first time in program history on Thursday night. The Wildcats are led by Jordyn Rhodes, who finished second in the SEC with 11 of the team's 16 goals. She earned All-SEC Second Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team accolades for her efforts during the 2021 campaign. Kentucky also returns Hannah Richardson who was the second on the team in points with five, two goals and an assist. Troy Fabiano is in his first season as the head coach for the Wildcats.
Ball State and Kentucky are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time on Thursday. The match can be seen on the SEC Network+.
The Cardinals and the Royals of Queens will also meet for the first time in program history. The Royals will be competing in their first season at the NCAA DI level. Queens returns two of their top three points scorers from last season. Mia Manuel led the squad with 12 points, on six goals, while Nia Gaither was tied for second on the team with 11 points, five goals and one assist.
The Cardinals and Royals are slated for a 10 a.m. kick on Sunday, Aug. 21.
From the Coach – Head Coach Josh Rife
"We're excited for the opening weekend. This will be a great test for us. Going on the road is always difficult, but we feel it will help prepare us for the season ahead. The group has been working hard, the returning players continue to push the standard and the new players have adjusted quickly. We will definitely learn a lot about ourselves coming out of this weekend."
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