DEKALB, Ill. – Two goals in the opening four minutes of the contest helped Ball State claim a 2-1 victory over the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 29) at the NIU Soccer Complex. Julianna Hill (Burlington, Iowa/West Burlington) pulled a goal back for NIU late in the first half.

"We have been here before," said NIU head coach Michael O'Neill. "Sloppy start and then we grew into the game. We finished the game strong, unfortunately not enough to get anything out of it. Lots to reflect on from this year, today's game is kind of a summary of that, and how we go about fixing that will be the focus now. We worked hard, we fought, but we have to make sure we are learning from these moments to prepare for next year, in a different conference, a different environment."

The visitors need just three minutes to go in front as Lexi Watkins slid the ball into the path of Addie Chester who slotted a shot past NIU goalkeeper Amy Stineman (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty) to give Ball State a 1-0 lead. 

Ball State doubled its lead just 67 seconds later as Fiona Kilian and Chester combined on a short corner with Chester playing the ball toward Izzy Ross at the near post. Ross redirected the ball just inside the post as the visitors took an early two-goal advantage. 

Just after the half-hour mark, Hill pulled a goal back for the Huskies. Mya Newcombe (Carlisle, Ontario/Waterdown District) cross toward the near post came off the hands of Ball State goalkeeper Katie Pallante and Hill was there to prod the ball home from close range to cut the Cardinal lead to 2-1. 

In the 39th minute, Ball State nearly added a third as Chester had a shot cleared off the line by a Huskie defender as the Cardinals took a 2-1 lead into the intermission. 

Playing with the wind in the second half, NIU started the half brightly, creating a number of shots, including one from Kelsi McLaughlin (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) in the 50th minute that forced a save from Pallante.

In the 86th minute, Emily Roper rattled a shot from distance off the crossbar for Ball State as the Cardinals looked to add an insurance goal. 

The Huskies continued to push for an equalizer all the way to the end as Sophia White (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) had a shot from distance that required a save from Pallante in the 90 minute as the Cardinals claimed a 2-1 victory. 

NIU closes the season with a 4-10-3 overall record, 2-7-2 in league play. Ball State improves to 10-6-2, 7-4-1 in Mid-American Conference play, and will face Kent State in the conference tournament quarterfinals.