Ball State University
3-3-4, 2-0-1
NIU
4-4-2, 1-2-0
Fenchel Scores in Fifth-Straight Match as Cardinals Tame Huskies
September 29, 2022 | Soccer
"It was another great game by the team today," said Head Coach Josh Rife. "It wasn't the start we wanted, credit to NIU for being on the front foot to start the match, but I'm proud of our ladies to dig in and get a strong result. It's been great to see the ball find the back of the net the past few games and hopefully we can continue to do that. The MAC is a very difficult conference, and we will enjoy the victory tonight, but our focus will shift to the weekend as we play a familiar opponent in Bowling Green who will present another tough challenge. For us to score the second-most goals in back-to-back matches is big for us. We've improved a lot and it's good to see the progress we've made."
BSU improved to 3-3-4 overall and 2-0-1 in conference play, while NIU fell to 4-4-2 overall and 1-2 in the MAC.
The Cardinals have scored a total of nine goals in back-to-back matches, the second-most in program history. BSU scored 17 goals in 2000, with six against Murray State and 11 against Youngstown State.
NIU collected the match's first goal off the foot of Claudia Muessig in the 11th minute.
In the 22nd minute, Lexi Fraley was near the endline and sent a well-placed ball into the box. Fenchel was on the receiving end of the pass. Fenchel turned and blasted a shot to the lower, near post for the equalizer.
GOOOAAALLL!!!@avery_fenchel with the equalizer on a great ball from @lexifraley1!!!#ChirpChirp x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/ptKMP6QmSZ— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) September 29, 2022
In the 42nd minute, Alex McPhee dribbled down the endline and sent a ball to the far post for Tiffani Torres. Torres drove the first touch off the NIU keeper's hand and into the net. The goal by Torres gave BSU a 2-1 lead at the half.
GOOOAAALLL!!!
Tiffani Torres with the goal to give the Cardinals the lead!!! @AMcPhee92 with the cross into the box.#ChirpChirp x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/fg5Kt4zLdn— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) September 29, 2022
Maya Millis sent a perfectly-placed cross into the box right in front of the 6-yard box. Fenchel was there and headed the ball over the top of the keeper. Fenchel's second goal gave BSU a 3-1 lead at the 52nd-minute mark.
"Take it one game at a time," said Fenchel. "I don't really think about scoring a goal. I'm going to play my hardest and work for everyone. It's just a team effort. My teammates have to be able to cross the ball, Maya was able to cross it. It's not an individual effort. Everyone being there for each other. Sometimes I'm in the right position and sometimes I have to create my chances. Just having the composure in front of the goal to find the back of the net. I think it's a big turnaround from last year. We couldn't put the ball into the back of the net last year, we struggled. It was a quality performance both offensively and defensively."
GOOOAAALLL!!!
So nice she did it twice!!! @avery_fenchel with an outstanding header off a cross from @MayaMillis!!!#ChirpChirp x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/S9QvglJJ1h— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) September 29, 2022
In the 67th minute, Kaitlyn Fraser outplayed an NIU defender just outside the 18-yard box. Fraser passed a ball in the box to Abby Elgert, who sent the first touch towards the front of the goal. Emily Roper was there and chipped it over the keeper from just outside the 6-yard box to give the Cardinals a 4-1 lead. Roper scored her first collegiate goal.
GOOOAAALLL!!!@emilyroper04 chips it over the NIU keeper for 4th BSU goal of the match. @AbbyElgert and @kaitlynfraser4 on the assists.#ChirpChirp x #WeFly pic.twitter.com/rQvuu0LHRi— Ball State Soccer (@BallStateSoccer) September 29, 2022
Fenchel moved her season total to eight goals with two today. Roper and Torres tallied their first goal on the season. Elgert collected her fourth assist on the season. McPhee earned her second assist on the year, while Fraley and Fraser notched their first assists of the season.
Bethany Moser improved to 3-3-4 on the season in goal for the Cardinals. She made three saves and moved her season total to 37. She surrendered one goal. Her counterpart, Deighton Wamer of NIU gave up four goals and made one save. Sadie McGill played 11 minutes in net for the Huskies and made one save.
Ball State returns to the pitch on Sunday, Oct. 2, with a road contest at Bowling Green. First touch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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Team Stats
Claudia Muessig (3)
Assisted By: Jamie Ward
GOAL by NIU Muessig, Claudia Assist by Ward, Jamie.
11:57
Avery Fenchel (8)
Assisted By: Lexi Fraley
GOAL by BSU Fenchel, Avery Assist by Fraley, Lexi.
22:25
Tiffani Torres (1)
Assisted By: Alex McPhee
GOAL by BSU Torres, Tiffani Assist by McPhee, Alex.
42:25
Avery Fenchel (8)
Assisted By: Maya Millis
GOAL by BSU Fenchel, Avery Assist by Millis, Maya.
52:27
Emily Roper (1)
Assisted By: Abby Elgert , Kaitlyn Fraser
GOAL by BSU Roper, Emily Assist by Elgert, Abby and Fraser, Kaitlyn.
67:47
