Sunday, September 14
Amherst, Mass.
1 PM
Ball State University
4-2-1, 1-0-0
1
at
0
UMass
2-3-2, 0-1-0
1
2
F
Ball St.
1
0
1
Massachusetts
0
0
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Photo by: UMass Athletics
Early Goal Leads Soccer to MAC Opener Win at UMass
September 14, 2025 | Soccer
AMHERST, Mass. – The Ball State soccer team rode an early goal from Lexi Watkins to a 1-0 win at UMass on Sunday afternoon at Rudd Field.
The Cardinals (4-2-1, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) won their MAC opener against the Minutewomen (2-3-2, 0-1), who were playing in the first MAC contest for any UMass team since joining the league starting with this school year.
Watkins found the back of the net off a cross by Addie Chester in the third minute of the match for her first career collegiate goal. The score was the earliest in a game for the Cardinals this season.
Ball State generated 15 total shots including five on goal, but the tally by Watkins proved to be enough with the visiting defense limiting the Minutewomen to five shots (two on goal) for the day.
Both shots on goal for UMass occurred in the final two minutes of the contest and were saved by Abby Jenkins, who notched her first solo shutout of the season.
Ball State generated one more corner kick (3-2) than UMass and didn't get whistled for an offsides compared to 10 for the Minutewomen. UMass committed more fouls on the afternoon (8-6).
Freshmen Cardinals Grier Isaacson and Jordyn Klaasen went the full 90 minutes to help anchor the back line, while fellow defenders Delaney Ahearn and Audrey Goodyear were credited for playing 89 and 86 minutes each.
Chester took four shots (one on goal), and Delaney Caldwell had three shots (one on goal) as the two Cardinals with more than two looks.
Ball State is set to host Central Michigan at 4 p.m. on Thursday for its conference home opener.
The Cardinals (4-2-1, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) won their MAC opener against the Minutewomen (2-3-2, 0-1), who were playing in the first MAC contest for any UMass team since joining the league starting with this school year.
Watkins found the back of the net off a cross by Addie Chester in the third minute of the match for her first career collegiate goal. The score was the earliest in a game for the Cardinals this season.
Ball State generated 15 total shots including five on goal, but the tally by Watkins proved to be enough with the visiting defense limiting the Minutewomen to five shots (two on goal) for the day.
Both shots on goal for UMass occurred in the final two minutes of the contest and were saved by Abby Jenkins, who notched her first solo shutout of the season.
Ball State generated one more corner kick (3-2) than UMass and didn't get whistled for an offsides compared to 10 for the Minutewomen. UMass committed more fouls on the afternoon (8-6).
Freshmen Cardinals Grier Isaacson and Jordyn Klaasen went the full 90 minutes to help anchor the back line, while fellow defenders Delaney Ahearn and Audrey Goodyear were credited for playing 89 and 86 minutes each.
Chester took four shots (one on goal), and Delaney Caldwell had three shots (one on goal) as the two Cardinals with more than two looks.
Ball State is set to host Central Michigan at 4 p.m. on Thursday for its conference home opener.
Team Stats
BSU
UMass
Goals
1
0
Shots
15
9
Shots on Goal
5
2
Saves
2
4
Corners
3
2
Fouls
6
8
Scoring Plays
Lexi Watkins (1)
Assisted By: Addie Chester
GOAL by BSU Watkins, Lexi Assist by Chester, Addie.
02:05
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Soccer
F
/ Soccer
M
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
GK
/ Soccer
D
/ Soccer
M
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