Thursday, October 19
DeKalb, Ill.
2 p.m.
Ball State University
7-6-3, 5-1-3
0
at
1
NIU
7-6-3, 5-3-1
1
2
F
Ball St.
0
0
0
NIU
0
1
1
Soccer Drops Heartbreaker At Northern Illinois
October 19, 2023 | Soccer
DEKALB, Ill. - - The Ball State soccer team suffered its first Mid-American Conference loss of the season Thursday afternoon as Northern Illinois struck for a 90th-minute goal to earn a 1-0 victory at the NIU Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
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The Cardinals (7-6-3; 5-1-3 MAC), who entered the day as the league's top scoring team, struggled to find its offensive footing against a Huskies (7-6-3; 5-3-1 MAC) squad looking to climb up the league standings.
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Ball State tallied just one shot in the opening 45 minutes but was able to pick up the pace in the second half and produced one of the matches' most dangerous chances in the 59th minute when a header by senior forward Avery Fenchel was denied by the NIU keeper.
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The Cardinals would also test NIU's Sadie McGill in the 76th minute with back-to-back blasts from outside the penalty box by graduate defender Maya Turner and junior forward Lexi Fraley, both of which were saved.
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On the other side of the pitch, redshirt junior Bethany Moser was nearly flawless despite facing a barrage of shots from the Huskies. For the third consecutive match, Moser set a career high for saves, this time collecting 14.
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Two of her biggest saves came late in the contest, including a high blast from just inside the attacking third in the 73rd minute she was able to punch over the cross bar. The second was an 86th-minute rocket from near the penalty spot which Moser was able to collect.
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Unfortunately, the Huskies drew a late corner and were able to battle for a loose ball in front of the goal, sneaking the match-winner past the Cardinals' defense with just 50 seconds left on the clock.
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The Ball State soccer team will look to rebound Sunday when it welcomes Bowling Green to the Briner Sports Complex for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
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The Cardinals (7-6-3; 5-1-3 MAC), who entered the day as the league's top scoring team, struggled to find its offensive footing against a Huskies (7-6-3; 5-3-1 MAC) squad looking to climb up the league standings.
Â
Ball State tallied just one shot in the opening 45 minutes but was able to pick up the pace in the second half and produced one of the matches' most dangerous chances in the 59th minute when a header by senior forward Avery Fenchel was denied by the NIU keeper.
Â
The Cardinals would also test NIU's Sadie McGill in the 76th minute with back-to-back blasts from outside the penalty box by graduate defender Maya Turner and junior forward Lexi Fraley, both of which were saved.
Â
On the other side of the pitch, redshirt junior Bethany Moser was nearly flawless despite facing a barrage of shots from the Huskies. For the third consecutive match, Moser set a career high for saves, this time collecting 14.
Â
Two of her biggest saves came late in the contest, including a high blast from just inside the attacking third in the 73rd minute she was able to punch over the cross bar. The second was an 86th-minute rocket from near the penalty spot which Moser was able to collect.
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Unfortunately, the Huskies drew a late corner and were able to battle for a loose ball in front of the goal, sneaking the match-winner past the Cardinals' defense with just 50 seconds left on the clock.
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The Ball State soccer team will look to rebound Sunday when it welcomes Bowling Green to the Briner Sports Complex for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
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Team Stats
BAL
NIU
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
23
Shots on Goal
5
15
Saves
14
5
Corners
1
9
Fouls
7
6
Scoring Plays
Tyra King (3)
Assisted By: Abby Zipse
GOAL by NIU King, Tyra Assist by Zipse, Abby.
89:15
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
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