Ball State (5-9-2, 3-5-2 MAC) honored its seniors Sunday afternoon in a 5-0 victory against Northern Illinois (5-11-2, 2-6-2 MAC).
“It felt like a little extra effort,” head coach Josh Rife said. “We were taking a few more shots today, getting into the box more, and that really was the difference for me today, being able to capitalize on these opportunities.”
The scoring started in the ninth minute with an own goal from Northern Illinois. Ball State scored its first goal from its own player in the 17th minute, as redshirt senior midfielder Nicky Potts sent a pass to fellow senior defender Kennedy Metzger, who leapt above everyone to head it the goal.
“This is my second goal of the season, so it was really nice that it came on Senior Day,” Metzger said. “And, it came from Nicky Potts, so, with her being a senior too, it felt cool.”
In the 29th minute, Ball State made it a three score game when sophomore midfielder Avery Fenchel recorded her second goal of the season. In the 32nd minute, senior midfielder Jenna Dombrowski found freshman forward Lexi Fraley for Fraley’s third goal of the season. The Cardinals finished off the scoring in the 35th minute, as freshman midfielder Kaitlyn Fraser found sophomore defender Abby Elgert for Elgert’s first goal of the season.
The Cardinals outshot the Huskies 18-4. Senior goalkeeper Alex DeRuvo earned her third shutout of the season.
“It was one of those shutouts that you still had to fight for it,” DeRuvo said. “Even though it was 5-0, you still have to make those saves that are necessary. It makes it really cool that it was on Senior Day.”
Ball State honored its 11 seniors before the match, with nine playing. Midfielder Chelcy Ralph did not attend the game, and defender Lizzie Philibin was out with an injury.
Rife was ecstatic about the Cardinals effort and result.
“Honestly, I feel like we’ve played with the same effort down this stretch, and the goals just haven’t fallen,” Rife said. “But, today, to get five, it feels great for them. I thought they played well and executed at a high level, so I’m really proud and excited for them.”
Ball State wraps up its regular season Oct. 28 at Briner Sports Complex against Miami-Ohio (8-7-3, 5-5 MAC). The match begins at 3 p.m.
Contact Nate Grubb with comments at nathaniel.grubb@bsu.edu or on Twitter @GrubbNate43.
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