A slow start in the regular season opener for the Ball State University soccer team got coach Michael Lovett off to a slow start with the Cardinals.
In the first game under their first-year coach, the Cardinals lost 1-0 at Valparaiso University on Friday.
"We had a hard time coming out of the gates," Lovett said. "We started out slow."
In the first half, Valparaiso outshot Ball State with four shots on goal compared to the Cardinals' one. The Crusaders also had three corner kicks compared to the Cardinals' one in the half.
Despite Valparaiso's extra attacks in the first half, the Crusaders could not gain the advantage on the scoreboard as the half ended in a scoreless tie.
In the second half, Lovett said he was happy with how the Cardinals put more pressure on the Crusaders' defense, but they still could not get on the scoreboard.
"We came out in the second half on fire," he said. "We attacked them, and we were a lot more productive offensively but couldn't find the net."
Valparaiso got the game's deciding goal off a shot from 10 yards out from the goal by midfielder Jackie Kondratko with less than 20 minutes left in the game. The goal was scored against the Cardinals' goalkeeper, sophomore Amy Cleeter, who played the second half after senior Rachael Murphy played the first half.
Cleeter allowed one goal and recorded no saves in her 45 minutes, while Murphy recorded two saves and allowed no goals in her 45 minutes of play.
Last year Murphy started 19 of the Cardinals' 20 games, and Cleeter started once when Murphy was injured.
Lovett said he is confident in both goalkeepers and allowing Cleeter to challenge Murphy for the starting position this season.
"The competition is very healthy," Lovett said. "I'm glad that Murphy is being challenged. I'm glad that Amy Cleeter came in ready to contribute."
Offensively, forward Bailey Decker said the team needed to push more to get more offense. In her first collegiate start Decker recorded two of the Cardinals' five shots on goal.
Although she never wants to lose, the senior said, she thinks the Cardinals did OK.
"I think it went well," said Decker, who also recorded a save. "I think we have things to work on, but it was the season opener."
Ball State also suffered from a couple of injuries in Friday's game, as defender Jen Vilkoski left the game with a quad injury and forward Jacki Eft left with an ankle injury. Lovett said both players are day-to-day but will be back for the team's next game Sunday at the University of Oklahoma.
The Cardinals have about a month of non-conference games until they begin conference play at Central Michigan University on Sept. 26. The two-time defending regular season Mid-American Conference champions were picked to finish second in the conference by the coaches and also received one vote to win the conference tournament, a feat the team had not accomplished in the first nine seasons of program history.
Lovett said it was nice to know the other coaches respect the Ball State program despite going through a coaching change.
"To still pick us in the top three is a good thing," he said. "They respect us and know what we were capable of."
What to take away1. There is a competition for the starting goalkeeper position between senior Rachael Murphy and sophomore Amy Cleeter after both played one half against Valparaiso. Murphy started 19 of the team's 20 games last year and set school records, including 10 shutouts.2. Two Ball State players, defender Jen Vilkoski and forward Jacki Eft, were injured but are expected to play in the Cardinals' next game.3. Senior Bailey Decker led Ball State with two shots on goal in her first collegiate start.4. One freshman, midfielder Sarah Orisich, started against Valparaiso. Four other freshmen came off the bench to play.5. After losing four of its first six games last year, Ball State finished the season 13-5-2.
Up nextBall State at OklahomaTime: 1 p.m. SundayVenue: Norman, Okla.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
