MUNCIE, Ind. – A goal on either side of halftime from Melissa Diceman helped Ball State to a 2-0 victory over the Northern Illinois University women's soccer on a wet and windy Thursday afternoon (March 18) at the Briner Sports Complex. 

Ball State (2-1-1, 2-1-1 MAC) had the first chance of the contest as Chelcy Ralph's right-footed effort went just wide from near the top of the box in the sixth minute.

The Cardinals went in front in the 22nd minute as Diceman converted from the penalty spot, giving Ball State a 1-0 lead that it would take into halftime.

Just four minutes into the second half, Ball State created a turnover near the edge of the NIU box and Ralph whistled a shot just wide of the far post. 

Near the hour mark, NIU (1-3-0, 1-3-0 MAC) had a spell of possession that led to a cross from sophomore Nicolette Gossage (Moneka, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) that was misplayed at the back by the Cardinals before they eventually scrambled it away to safety. 

Moments after the chance for NIU, Ball State doubled its lead. Diceman ran on to a flicked header from Nicky Potts in midfield and finished past Huskie senior goalkeeper Megan Donnally (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) to give the Cardinals a lead in the 59th minute.

In the 89th minute, freshman Kierah Meier (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) collected the ball just inside the corner of the Ball State box and had a low shot that went just wide of the near post as the Huskies were unable to find a way past the Cardinal defense. 

Donnally finished with four saves in goal for the Huskies after coming on in the second half for junior Julia Lentz (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) who recorded one stop in the first half. 

NIU will return home on Sunday, March 21, when the Huskies host Central Michigan. Kickoff against the Chippewas is scheduled for 3 p.m.