After two road matches, Ball State soccer took to the pitch at Briner Sports Complex for its only home spring game April 2 and defeated IUPUI 3-0.
Head coach Josh Rife was impressed with the Cardinals performance and said Ball State kept its focus throughout the match.
“The ladies definitely played one of their more complete games,” Rife said. “We played well for long stretches, which was great. IUPUI is a good team. If you’re clueless then they’re going to make you pay. We had great intensity and focus throughout the match.”
Ball State started its scoring in the 14th minute, after a pass from sophomore midfielder Avery Fenchel found freshman forward Lexi Fraley, who headed the ball in the back of the net.
“I saw Avery beat her defender and I saw my defender slide over, so I cut in,” Fraley said. “I knew Avery would see me fading to the back post and she just played a perfect ball.”
In the 35th minute, senior midfielder Sammi Corcoran drilled a shot from outside the box that found its way past the hands of IUPUI freshman goalkeeper Ashton Kudlo.
The Cardinals scored again with ten seconds left, Fenchel fired a shot past Kudlo and in the goal.
“It’s always good to start the game strong and end the game strong,” Fenchel said. “Great ball by Maya [Millis], great setup by Alex [McPhee]. I just made the right run, was in the right place at the right time.”
Ball State is 2-1 in spring games, dropping its first match 3-1 against Louisville Feb. 26 and defeating Dayton in a penalty shootout March 26. Rife said spring games may not be as competitive as fall games, they are useful for experience.
“In the fall, everything counts,” Rife said. “In the spring, not that it doesn’t matter, the results don’t impact your postseason abilities. There’s a different type of pressure.”
The Cardinals travel to Louisville to play in the Spring Cup Finals April 9.
Contact Nate Grubb with comments at nathaniel.grubb@bsu.edu or on Twitter @GrubbNate43.
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