Senior goalkeeper Alyssa Heintschel sealed Ball State soccer’s 2-1 victory at Bowling Green in the 85th minute, when she outstretched her gloves for a diving save at the upper left corner of the net.
“When she’s called upon she makes some stunning saves and she made a fantastic one toward the end," head coach Craig Roberts said. "It was a top-shelf save to keep them out of the game.”
The offense didn’t get fully into gear until the 61st minute when junior midfielder Alessandra Fistrovich found her first goal of the season with a sliding shot with assists from Julia Elvbo and Lucy Walton.
The Falcons took just six minutes to respond. Sophomore midfielder Chelsee Washington sent an equalizer into the back of the net in the 67th minute after a corner kick by Maureen Kennedy found Washington in the crowded box.
“I was disappointed with how we dealt with their corner, but that’s something we will correct," Roberts said. "It’s room for improvement.”
The game was even for the next 12 minutes until sophomore midfielder Julia Elvbo scored what happened to be the deciding goal in the 80th minute off a sophomore midfielder Peighton Cook assist. Elvbo and Fistrovich became the fifth and sixth Cardinals to record at least one goal this season.
“[They] really impacted the game when they went in," Roberts said. "They were a threat, and obviously we’re delighted with the cross from Peighton. We were glad to find the back of the net on two occasions and we had a chance at one or two more that we couldn’t convert.
Roberts mentioned earlier in the week that Bowling Green forward Skylar Fleak would be a key aspect of the game, and they did just that. Fleak got off five shots, but was pressured consistently with just one shot on goal, which was corralled by Heintschel.
“I think both teams were feeling each other out in regards to what they needed to do in the opening minutes,” Roberts said. “There was a lot of energy, it was the first MAC game of the season."
The Cardinals had a chance at a goal early in the second half, but lost it due to an offside call. Ball State remained patient and stayed true to defensive, until it established an offensive rhythm late in the game.
The Cardinals will conclude their weekend road trip with a visit to Toledo at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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