Sunday, October 8
Buffalo, N.Y.
1 p.m.
Ball State University
6-5-2, 4-0-2
5
at
0
Buffalo
5-3-5, 2-2-2
1
2
F
Ball St.
3
2
5
Buffalo
0
0
0
Soccer Dominates MAC’s Top Defense; Scoring 5-0 Win At Buffalo
October 08, 2023 | Soccer
BUFFALO, N.Y. - - The Ball State soccer team dominated the Mid-American Conference's top defense Sunday, putting on an offensive clinic in a 5-0 victory over defending MAC regular season and tournament champion Buffalo at UB Stadium.
The Cardinals (6-5-2; 4-0-2), who entered the day tied for the league lead with 21 total goals, jumped out early and never let up on its way to scoring the most goals in a MAC match this season. The effort also tied the five goals Ball State scored in its season-opening win over Mercyhurst (Aug. 17) as the largest offensive output by a league team in any match this season.
"We were hungry and efficient with our chances today," head coach Josh Rife said. "We you get one early and play from the lead, it always helps to give the rest of the group confidence. Today was a great feeling and one we need to learn from and use to help us on the road Thursday."
Even more impressive is it happened against a Bulls (5-3-5; 2-2-2 MAC) squad which had allowed a MAC-low 11 goals the entire season entering the day and had not surrendered five goals in a contest since a 5-0 setback to Bowling Green on Oct. 21, 2018. A span of 83 games.
Senior forward Avery Fenchel opened the goal barrage in the 12th minute with her 20th career tally, collecting a Buffalo clearance attempt inside the goal area and striking the ball past the keeper. The goal was setup by a throw in from junior defender Maya Millis which Fenchel then headed deeper into the zone and battled a pair of UB defender for, with one defender kicking the ball back into Fenchel.
The Cardinals continued to pressure and added a second tally in the 27th minute when junior forward Lexi Fraley charged a clearance attempt by the Buffalo goalkeeper and blocked the ball into the net.
Fenchel would follow with her second goal of the game in the 37th minute, this time capitalizing on a free kick opportunity from deep in the Ball State defensive zone. The free kick sailed into BSU's offensive zone with a header from a Buffalo defender sending it further back. From there, another defender battled Fraley for the ball, which squirted to a waiting Fenchel who sailed the ball over a leaping UB goalie from 27 yards out.
With her brace, Fenchel climbed into a tie for fourth in program history with 21 career goals, with eight coming so far this season.
Up 3-0 at the half, the Cardinals did not let off the gas in the second stanza, starting in the 54th minute when Fraley completed her brace by intercepting a backwards pass to the Bulls keeper and slipping the ball into the net from just off the goal line. It was Fraley's seventh goal of the season, raising her career total to 16 which ranks seventh in program history.
"Avery and Lexi's effort today, and all season, has been fantastic," Rife said. "Their ability to create chances off just hard work is great. It's never easy, and it's been a challenging season, but they have remained diligent to put the work in."
Fenchel looked to have a hat trick moments later when another free kick found the head of sophomore forward Emily Roper, which in turn found the right foot of Fenchel. Unfortunately, the play was ultimately determined to be offsides to negate the score.
Ball State would not be denied its fifth goal, however, as Roper connected for her fifth goal of the season in the 64th minute with a blast from just outside the penalty area. Fraley and Fenchel aided in the play, battling defenders for the ball before it was cleared out to a waiting Roper.
Not to be lost in the match was the defensive effort put forth by the Cardinals who collected their first league shutout of the season. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Bethany Moser was spectacular in net, helping stop all nine shots on goal she faced. She made eight total saves in the game, while BSU also tallied one team save. In addition, the defense helped limit Buffalo to just a few quality scoring chances.
"Our defense was scrappy and put their bodies on the line to make block or tackles in critical moments to help protect the shutout," Rife said.
The Ball State soccer team will face another road test Thursday when it travels to Akron for a 7 p.m. start under the lights at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Cardinals (6-5-2; 4-0-2), who entered the day tied for the league lead with 21 total goals, jumped out early and never let up on its way to scoring the most goals in a MAC match this season. The effort also tied the five goals Ball State scored in its season-opening win over Mercyhurst (Aug. 17) as the largest offensive output by a league team in any match this season.
"We were hungry and efficient with our chances today," head coach Josh Rife said. "We you get one early and play from the lead, it always helps to give the rest of the group confidence. Today was a great feeling and one we need to learn from and use to help us on the road Thursday."
Even more impressive is it happened against a Bulls (5-3-5; 2-2-2 MAC) squad which had allowed a MAC-low 11 goals the entire season entering the day and had not surrendered five goals in a contest since a 5-0 setback to Bowling Green on Oct. 21, 2018. A span of 83 games.
Senior forward Avery Fenchel opened the goal barrage in the 12th minute with her 20th career tally, collecting a Buffalo clearance attempt inside the goal area and striking the ball past the keeper. The goal was setup by a throw in from junior defender Maya Millis which Fenchel then headed deeper into the zone and battled a pair of UB defender for, with one defender kicking the ball back into Fenchel.
The Cardinals continued to pressure and added a second tally in the 27th minute when junior forward Lexi Fraley charged a clearance attempt by the Buffalo goalkeeper and blocked the ball into the net.
Fenchel would follow with her second goal of the game in the 37th minute, this time capitalizing on a free kick opportunity from deep in the Ball State defensive zone. The free kick sailed into BSU's offensive zone with a header from a Buffalo defender sending it further back. From there, another defender battled Fraley for the ball, which squirted to a waiting Fenchel who sailed the ball over a leaping UB goalie from 27 yards out.
With her brace, Fenchel climbed into a tie for fourth in program history with 21 career goals, with eight coming so far this season.
Up 3-0 at the half, the Cardinals did not let off the gas in the second stanza, starting in the 54th minute when Fraley completed her brace by intercepting a backwards pass to the Bulls keeper and slipping the ball into the net from just off the goal line. It was Fraley's seventh goal of the season, raising her career total to 16 which ranks seventh in program history.
"Avery and Lexi's effort today, and all season, has been fantastic," Rife said. "Their ability to create chances off just hard work is great. It's never easy, and it's been a challenging season, but they have remained diligent to put the work in."
Fenchel looked to have a hat trick moments later when another free kick found the head of sophomore forward Emily Roper, which in turn found the right foot of Fenchel. Unfortunately, the play was ultimately determined to be offsides to negate the score.
Ball State would not be denied its fifth goal, however, as Roper connected for her fifth goal of the season in the 64th minute with a blast from just outside the penalty area. Fraley and Fenchel aided in the play, battling defenders for the ball before it was cleared out to a waiting Roper.
Not to be lost in the match was the defensive effort put forth by the Cardinals who collected their first league shutout of the season. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Bethany Moser was spectacular in net, helping stop all nine shots on goal she faced. She made eight total saves in the game, while BSU also tallied one team save. In addition, the defense helped limit Buffalo to just a few quality scoring chances.
"Our defense was scrappy and put their bodies on the line to make block or tackles in critical moments to help protect the shutout," Rife said.
The Ball State soccer team will face another road test Thursday when it travels to Akron for a 7 p.m. start under the lights at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Team Stats
BSU
BUF
Goals
5
0
Shots
5
12
Shots on Goal
5
9
Saves
8
0
Corners
2
3
Fouls
10
3
Scoring Plays
Avery Fenchel (8)
GOAL by BSU Fenchel, Avery.
11:44
Lexi Fraley (7)
GOAL by BSU Fraley, Lexi.
26:45
Avery Fenchel (8)
GOAL by BSU Fenchel, Avery.
36:19
Lexi Fraley (7)
GOAL by BSU Fraley, Lexi.
53:42
Emily Roper (5)
GOAL by BSU Roper, Emily.
63:03
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ SoccerF
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
GK
/ SoccerF
/ SoccerSoccer vs. Central Michigan (One Camera Feed)
Thursday, September 18
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Guests: Mike Uremovich, Addie Chester, and Jeff Mitchell
Thursday, September 04
Women's Soccer // Win vs IU Indy
Tuesday, September 02
Soccer // Season Preview
Thursday, August 07