Ball State University Athletics
Soccer Falls to Strong Loyola Marymount Squad
LOS ANGELES -- Loyola Marymount pulled away from the Ball State soccer team in the second half Sunday for a 4-0 victory at Sullivan Field.
LMU, which reached the third round of last year’s NCAA Tournament, improved to 3-1-1 this season. Ball State fell to 3-2-1 as it closed out its west coast swing.
“We wanted the challenge of putting ourselves out there on the road against a very good team,” Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. “We’re disappointed with the loss, but the experience will make us a better team. Our players, especially some of the new ones, were exposed to just how quick and physical the game can be.”
Sunday’s game was tight through the opening half with Shelby Cormier’s 17th-minute header accounting for the only score as LMU took a 1-0 lead into the break.
The Lions then broke through for three goals in the first 22 minutes of the second half, including tallies from Pilar Torres and Jill Farley.
“I felt we played very well in the first half,” Roberts said. “We knew they would be strong in the air, and they were able to score with a header on a set piece. We just needed to continue to play in the second half the way we played in the first.”
Loyola Marymount held a 19-10 advantage in shots for the game. Leah Mattingly led Ball State with three shots (two on goal), and Allison Abbe had two.
The Cardinals will play on the road against next weekend with a 7:30 p.m. contest Friday at Louisville before returning home to play Sept. 16 against Morehead State.