MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State soccer team scored two goals 1:08 apart late in the second half to secure a 2-0 victory over Marshall in non-conference play at the Briner Sports Complex Friday afternoon. The victory improves the Cardinals to 4-3-1 on the season and was secured on senior day as Ball State honored Abby Milillo (Fairfield, Ohio/Badin) and Christine Concannon (South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph’s) prior to the game.

                The Cardinals controlled play for most of the game as they held a 21-12 advantage in shots, including a 9-4 edge in the first half. Freshman Victoria Jacobs (Oakville, Ontario/St. Ignatius of Loyola) had the Cardinals’ best chance in the first half as she got her head on a corner kick but her shot was saved on the goal line but the Marshall defender. Despite their play, the game was still scoreless in the second half but not without chances for the Cardinals.

                Ball State pressed late in the game and nearly snapped the scoreless tie in the 86^th minute. Junior forward Paige Stroinski (Granger, Ind./Penn) ripped a shot from 15-yards out that got past Marshall goalkeeper Betsy Haugh but ran off the post and the Cardinals’ attempt at the rebound was blocked.

                The Cardinals used that momentum and kept play in Marshall’s territory, notching the game’s first goal just 30 seconds later. Freshman midfielder Ellie Chadick (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwest) found space on the side of the 18-yard box and ripped a shot that beat Haugh into the side netting for the 1-0 lead. The goal was the first of Chadick’s career and she is the third freshman to score their first career goals in the last three games.

                Ball State kept attacking and its pressure paid dividends just 1:08 later in the 87^th minute of play. Freshman midfielder Becca Sutton (Channahon, Ill./Minooka Community) ripped a shot from 15-yards out that Haugh was able to make a diving save punching the ball back into the box. Freshman forward Jasmine Moses (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) ran onto the rebound and blasted it past a flailing Haugh for a 2-0 lead. The goal was Moses’ third tally in the past two games with both games being her first two career starts.  

                Junior goalkeeper Aubrey Buehler (Waukesha, Wis./UT Martin) posted four save on the afternoon to record her first shutout of the season and the Cardinals second. Waugh picked up the loss despite posting seven saves.

                Ball State returns to action Sunday evening as it travels up I-69 to meet instate foe IPFW at 7 p.m.

 

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