The Valpo soccer team took to the turf of Brown Field for the first of nine times this season Sunday afternoon, but after the Beacons responded to an early Ball State goal with a goal of their own, the Cardinals found the back of the net twice more as Valpo fell by a 3-1 final.

How It Happened

• Ball State broke through first in the 12^th minute, taking advantage of a handball call against Valpo in the penalty area. Nicky Potts dispatched the spot kick to put the Cardinals on top.
• The Beacons answered the call well immediately following the BSU goal, constantly pushing forward and recording five shot attempts over the next seven minutes.
• The fifth of those shots equalized the match in the 19^th minute, as sophomore Kelsie James (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) regained possession deep in the attacking third and fired a shot from about 15 yards out into the lower-right corner of the goal to make it a 1-1 scoreline.
• The Cardinals regained the edge in the 42^nd Sophomore goalkeeper Nikki Coryell (Aurora, Ill./Metea Valley) made a save on an initial shot in close, but the rebound bounced around and eventually found the foot of BSU’s Emily Simmons, who found the back of the net from eight yards out to give the visitors a 2-1 lead at intermission.
• Ball State closed the scoring in the 53^rd minute with its second penalty of the game, as a foul was called against the Beacons in the box. Chelcy Ralph took the penalty for the Cardinals to make it 3-1.
• Valpo was limited to just three shot attempts over the game’s final 37 minutes.

Inside the Match

• Coming off a freshman season in which she tied for team-high honors with three goals, James was the first Valpo player to find the back of the net this season.
• Valpo dropped a match by multiple goals for the first time since Oct. 26, 2019.
• Despite surrendering three goals on Sunday, only one came from the run of play.
• Ball State closed the match with a 13-8 advantage in shots.
• Coryell finished with four saves in the losing effort, while the Beacons’ defense also cleared a shot off the back line in the 67^th
• BSU’s Alex DeRuvo made five saves in goal to earn the victory.
• Valpo started the same starting XI it used in the season opener Thursday at Indiana.
• Freshman Dana Fish (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan North) made her collegiate debut late in the second half.

Next Up

Valpo (0-2-0) heads to western Pennsylvania for a pair of matches next weekend, beginning with a 6 p.m. CT meeting with Duquesne on Friday evening.