Ball State’s soccer team went into its match with IPFW undefeated on the season and unbeaten by the Mastodons all-time—both of those streaks came to end on Friday.
After a 0-1 loss, the Cardinals are 2-1 on the season and
8-1-1 against the Mastodons.
Despite receiving the first blemish of the season, head coach
Craig Roberts said that his team is still moving in the right direction.
“Overall I thought we played really well,” Roberts said. “If
we were able to capitalize on just some of our opportunities, we wouldn’t have
won by just one, we’d have won by several.”
Ball State has had trouble finishing in each of its first
three games.
The Cardinals have controlled every game, peppering the net
with shots, but only dominated the scoreboard in one.
Ball State had 19 shots with 10 on goal to IPFW’s 10 and 4.
“The girls worked really hard out there, and did a lot of
things well, they just couldn’t convert,” Roberts said. “It wasn’t just one, it
was a combination of players.”
Many of those players are seeing some of their first collegiate action, and Roberts attributes some of the finishing woes to inexperience.
“Some of players are younger, and I think they just get a
little nervous or excited around the goal,” Roberts said.
Defensively Roberts said that the Cardinals were solid. The
same rotation has anchored Ball State this season, and the only two goals
allowed this season have come from set pieces.
IPFW’s goal came in the 75th minute, off a free kick, which
senior goalkeeper Layne Schramm saved, but the rebound was tapped in by Gaby Romo for the only score of the game.
“I’m really happy with how our possession game has enhance,
we just have to start making the most of our opportunities,” Roberts said.
