Ball State knocks off IU for 1st loss

Two undefeated teams took Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium Sunday, but only one left that way.\nIn their first ever meeting, the Ball State Cardinals moved to 4-0 when they beat IU 1-0 in the women's soccer team's home opener.\nDespite the Hoosiers out-shooting Ball State 18-1 and having an 11-0 advantage in corner kicks, the Cardinals finally broke a 77-minute goal drought when senior forward Kate Nadalin received a pass from fellow senior forward Dee Nocero on a quick counter attack.\n"I thought we played too slow in the first half, and then we picked things up a great deal in the second half," IU coach Mick Lyon said. "It was easy to dominate a game like this with a lot of stats and everything, but we have to take that hard work and turn it into production."\nRedshirt freshman defender Jenna Babcock said the Ball State goal was a result of poor team communication.\n"We didn't communicate," Babcock said. "We had people not knowing where their men were. We just weren't talking, not covering. It was just little things."\nThe Hoosiers had the first opportunity to get on the board in the 19th minute when sophomore forward Carrie DeFreece beat Ball State goalkeeper Alison Becker in a one-on-one situation, but the Cardinal defense scrambled back, shut down the Hoosier forward and forced a deflected shot.\nBall State almost drew first blood in the 26th minute when a free kick dropped in the middle of the Hoosier penalty area into a maze of attacking and defending legs, but the Hoosier defense was able to clear the ball out of danger.\nFreshman forward Kristin Radcliffe delivered some solid shots early in the second half courtesy of crisp Hoosier passing in a crowded Ball State penalty area, but none resulted in goals. \nShe said being able to make such an impact on the team already is a great experience in itself.\n"Just getting on the field is a really big privilege with this team because all of the players deserve to be on the field, so I'm really honored to be in this position," Radcliffe said.\nSenior midfielder Kim Grodek sent a curving cross right across the Ball State goal in the 58th minute that was right on target to sophomore Megan Pipkens on the far post but the Hoosier forward barely missed connecting with the ball.\nBabcock returned to action for the first time on the Hoosier backline after missing last season because of an ACL injury. She said she is still a little shaky, but overall thinks it's great to be on the field again.\n"(Playing again) is awesome," Babcock said, "It feels great. I love it. I think I lost a little bit of my first step but that just comes with time -- but otherwise things are great -- no pain. I just need to get my mind back into the game, figure out what I'm doing back there."\n-- Contact staff writer John Fischer at jbfische@indiana.edu.