MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State scored five first half goals as the Cardinals topped the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team, 5-0, on a rainy Sunday afternoon (Oct. 24) at the Briner Sports Complex.
The Cardinals improved to 5-9-2 overall, 3-5-2 in Mid-American Conference play with the victory. The result ended NIU's three-match unbeaten streak as the Huskies fall to 5-11-2 overall, 2-6-2 in league play.
Ball State opened the scoring in the 10th minute as Claudia Como led the attack for the Cardinals before the ball was deflected off a Huskie into the net to give Ball State a 1-0 lead.
Kennedy Metzger added a second for the hosts in the 18th minute. Nicky Potts had the initial shot for Ball State and it was Metzger who was first to collect the rebound and finish as the Cardinals doubled their advantage.
Just after the goal,
Kierah Meier (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) had a shot from outside the box that forced a save from Cardinal goalkeeper Alex DeRuvo.
Ball State added a third just before the half-hour mark. Avery Fenchel slotted home a shot from just outside the six-yard box, off an assist from Jenna Dombrowski.
In the 33rd minute, the Cardinals scored again as Lexi Fraley found the back of the net. Dombrowski played provider for the second time as she fed Fraley who scored from outside the box.
Abby Elgert added a goal for Ball State in the 36th minute. Kaitlyn Fraser was the provider for Elgert as she tallied from near the top of the six to give the Cardinals a 5-0 advantage at halftime.
In the second half, NIU's best opportunity came in the 65th minute as an effort from
Haley Hoppe (Austin, Texas/Rouse) went just over the crossbar.
Julia Lentz (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) made two saves during the opening 45 minutes for the Huskies,
Sadie McGill (Fort Worth, Texas/North Texas) came on and had four stops in the second half. DeRuvo made one save in the contest for Ball State.
NIU will close the season on Thursday, Oct. 28, when the Huskies visit Western Michigan. Kickoff against the Broncos is scheduled for 3 p.m.
