Ball State locks MAC tournament spot with win at Akron

Senior midfielder Calley Starck kicks the ball during the soccer game against Moorehead State on Aug. 31 at the Briner Sports Complex. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
Senior midfielder Calley Starck kicks the ball during the soccer game against Moorehead State on Aug. 31 at the Briner Sports Complex. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

In its last road game of the regular season, the Ball State soccer team defeated Akron 4-2.

Ball State jumped out to an early lead when sophomore Leah Mattingly scored her fourth goal of the season in the seventh minute.

After a goal from Akron’s Lani Smith in the 22nd minute, Ball State senior Cailey Starck scored her first goal of the season with a bicycle kick.

“You don’t see a goal like that everyday, so it was great to see Starck get that shot,” Ball State head coach Craig Roberts said.

The Zips would quickly tie the match coming out of halftime, courtesy of Smith’s second goal of the night.

From that point, however, the Cardinals took control, receiving goals from senior Victoria Jacobs and sophomore Gabby Veldman.

“This was a big win for us,” Roberts said. “Now we move on for our last regular season match and the [Mid-American Conference] tournament.”

With the win, the Cardinals move to 10-5-2 overall on the season and 6-4 in conference.

Ball State also clinches a spot in the MAC tournament, as they sit tied for the West division lead with Eastern Michigan, who hosts the tiebreaker.

Ball State will return home to close out the regular season on Thursday, against Miami.

Last year, Ball State lost to Miami in the regular season, but defeated them in the MAC tournament semifinals.

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