Soccer Starts Strong In Season-Opening Win Over IU Indy

Thursday, August 13

Muncie, Ind.

4 PM

Ball State University

1-0-0, 0-0-0

IU Indy

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
IU Indy	0	0	0
Ball St.	1	1	2

Kaelyn Valleau and teammates celebrate her third-minute goal versus IU Indy Thursday (Aug. 13, 2026) at the Briner Sports Complex.

Soccer Starts Strong In Season-Opening Win Over IU Indy

August 13, 2026 | Soccer

Box Score 8-13 Soccer Box Score vs. IU Indy Photo Gallery

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Senior Kaelyn Valleau opened the season with a bang, blasting a third-minute goal past the keeper to help lead the Ball State soccer team to a 2-0 victory over visiting IU Indy Thursday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex.

"I am really happy for Kaelyn," head coach Andy Stoots said after the win. "We weren't sure if she was going to be able to play today. She had a little knock in training yesterday and we weren't sure what her status would be. However, she rocked up, was ready to go and was rewarded for her effort and commitment to the team by getting the first goal."

Valleau's fourth career goal, and second career match-winner, came off an early corner which was booted in by sophomore Jess Fernau and headed to Valleau by sophomore Jordyn Klaasen.

It was the first of two set-piece goals for the Cardinals (1-0) who were also able to capitalize off a corner in the 53rd-minute. This time, freshman Anna Kate Robillard cleaned up a clearance attempt and planted the ball into the back of the Jaguars' (0-1) net for her first collegiate tally.

"Set pieces are something we've put a lot of time and attention towards since started back in mid-July," Stoots added. "We weren't very good on set pieces last year, and they were an area we wanted to put a lot more time into. So, to get two tonight off corners was awesome."

In a match which was delayed a day due to torrential rain in the Muncie area, the Cardinals also poured on the defensive presser, limiting the visiting Jaguars to just two shots on goal. Both of those attempts were stopped by junior goalkeeper Kate Pallante who registered her fifth career clean sheet in the outing.

Overall, the Ball State defense limited IU Indy to six total shots, while maintaining a 10 to 2 advantage in corners. The Cardinals finished the day with 13 total shots, with seven going on net.

"Overall, I'm most proud of the improvement that we've made in the last week's time," Stoots concluded. "We're battling through some injuries and have a lot of new players seeing big minutes. The time and attention they have put into training over the past week to catch on to some concepts and get better was huge. From a tactical standpoint, we showed a lot of grit and toughness, winning first and second balls, just doing all of the small things that winning requires."

The Ball State soccer team will battle its second in-state opponent next Thursday (Aug. 20), when it travels to Butler for a 7:30 p.m. start under the lights at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl.