Sunday, October 1
Kalamazoo, Mich.
1 p.m.
Ball State University
4-5-2, 2-0-2
2
at
2
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Western Michigan
6-3-2, 2-0-2
1
2
F
Ball St.
2
0
2
Western Mich.
1
1
2
Soccer Battles To 2-2 Draw At Western Michigan
October 01, 2023 | Soccer
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - - In another tough Mid-American Conference showdown, the Ball State soccer team battled Western Michigan to a 2-2 draw Sunday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex.
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With the result, the Cardinals (4-5-2; 2-0-2 MAC) and Broncos (6-3-2; 2-0-2 MAC) both remain undefeated in league play two weeks into the conference season.
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"The team continues to handle the adversity of the games well and earn hard points on the road in conference play," head coach Josh Rife said. "Tori Monaco had a great game today, helping create the first goal and then making two big plays defensively in the second half."
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Ball State capitalized on the first scoring opportunity of the match, as junior midfielder Kaitlyn Fraser netted her second goal of the season in the sixth minute to give the Cardinals an early 1-0 edge. It was the first shot attempt of the day by either squad, and was aided by the strong play from sophomore midfielder Tori Monaco.
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Western Michigan, which entered the day as the league's top-ranked squad in the NCAA RPI at 95, countered early in the 21st minute to even the score. The tie would not last the rest of the half, however, as junior forward Lexi Fraley handed BSU its second lead of the day in the 41st minute.
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Fraley, who has earned at least one point in three straight matches, was able to collect a pass just outside the penalty box, battle her way around a WMU defender and slip a shot from just outside the goal box past another defender and the goalkeeper for her third goal of the season and the 12th of her career.
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The Cardinals held the lead until the 65th minute when WMU scored its league-leading 19th goal of the season to force the draw. Ball State is second in the MAC with 18 goals, counting its two scores Sunday against a Broncos defense which has allowed just 11 goals on the year, the second fewest allowed in the league this season.
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Redshirt junior goalkeeper Bethany Moser held strong against the WMU offense, tallying four saves over her 90 minutes of play. She was aided by a solid defensive effort from the entire team, including the two big plays from Monaco.
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The Ball State soccer team returns to the Briner Sports Complex Thursday when it hosts Kent State for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
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With the result, the Cardinals (4-5-2; 2-0-2 MAC) and Broncos (6-3-2; 2-0-2 MAC) both remain undefeated in league play two weeks into the conference season.
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"The team continues to handle the adversity of the games well and earn hard points on the road in conference play," head coach Josh Rife said. "Tori Monaco had a great game today, helping create the first goal and then making two big plays defensively in the second half."
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Ball State capitalized on the first scoring opportunity of the match, as junior midfielder Kaitlyn Fraser netted her second goal of the season in the sixth minute to give the Cardinals an early 1-0 edge. It was the first shot attempt of the day by either squad, and was aided by the strong play from sophomore midfielder Tori Monaco.
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Western Michigan, which entered the day as the league's top-ranked squad in the NCAA RPI at 95, countered early in the 21st minute to even the score. The tie would not last the rest of the half, however, as junior forward Lexi Fraley handed BSU its second lead of the day in the 41st minute.
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Fraley, who has earned at least one point in three straight matches, was able to collect a pass just outside the penalty box, battle her way around a WMU defender and slip a shot from just outside the goal box past another defender and the goalkeeper for her third goal of the season and the 12th of her career.
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The Cardinals held the lead until the 65th minute when WMU scored its league-leading 19th goal of the season to force the draw. Ball State is second in the MAC with 18 goals, counting its two scores Sunday against a Broncos defense which has allowed just 11 goals on the year, the second fewest allowed in the league this season.
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Redshirt junior goalkeeper Bethany Moser held strong against the WMU offense, tallying four saves over her 90 minutes of play. She was aided by a solid defensive effort from the entire team, including the two big plays from Monaco.
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The Ball State soccer team returns to the Briner Sports Complex Thursday when it hosts Kent State for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
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Team Stats
BSU
WMU
Goals
2
2
Shots
6
8
Shots on Goal
4
6
Saves
4
2
Corners
1
3
Fouls
11
12
Scoring Plays
Kaitlyn Fraser (2)
GOAL by BSU Fraser, Kaitlyn.
05:40
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Abby Werthman (3)
Assisted By: Jenna Blackburn
GOAL by WMU Werthman, Abby Assist by Blackburn, Jenna.
20:04
Lexi Fraley (3)
GOAL by BSU Fraley, Lexi.
40:50
Madison Cotta (1)
GOAL by WMU Cotta, Madison.
64:06
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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