Story Courtesy of Ball State Athletic Communications Department
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ball State soccer team won a penalty kick shootout 5-4 over Kent State Sunday afternoon in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Historic Crew Stadium to advance to the semifinals on Tuesday.
The No. 4 seed Cardinals (11-6-2) and No. 5 seed Golden Flashes played 110 minutes of scoreless soccer after regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods elapsed without the ball finding the back of the net.
Ball State went first in the PK shootout, as Delaney Caldwell and Izzy Ross made their shots to get the Cardinals out to a 2-1 edge. Emily Roper and Fiona Kilian also successfully found the back of the net to set up Joy Zeeman's shot that proved to be the game-winner. Goalkeeper Kate Pallante made the save on Kent State's final attempt to clinch the win.
The sophomore Pallante collected a career-best 11 saves in regulation and prevented the Golden Flashes from scoring twice on match points in the shootout.
Caldwell attempted four shots for the Cardinals, while Fiona Kilian and LG Moncrief placed shots on the goal. Defenders Delaney Ahearn, Audrey Goodyear, Grier Isaacson and Jordyn Klaasen joined Pallante in going the full 90 minutes.
Kent State took more shots (20-8) on the day but committed more fouls (13-10). Ball State generated more corner kicks (7-3) and was whistled for fewer offsides violations (2-1).
The Cardinals advance to the semifinals against No. 1 seed Kent State at 4 p.m., on Tuesday in Columbus.
