August 26, 2005 SYCAMORES LOSE SEASON OPEN TO BALL STATE 3-0 TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The ISU women’s soccer team lost its first game of the season Friday, falling to the Ball State Cardinals 3-0 at the soccer complex on the campus of Indiana State University. Ball State had a strong attack in the first half, shooting the ball 15 times during the first 45 minutes. However the Sycamore defense and goalkeeper Rachel Rudzis only allowed one goal in the first half. Ball State freshman Emily Rein bent a ball from the left of the box to the lower right corner of the goal for the first score of the game off an assist from senior Lindsay Wiltshire. “The thing that impressed me the most about the girls today is that they competed until the end,” head coach Vernon Croft said. “I’m proud of the group that played. We had to play those girls a lot because we were a little short on the roster.” During the first half sophomore forward Lauren Podolski injured her left foot during a challenge with an opposing player. Podolski’s absence made the short roster that much shorter for the rest of the game, causing Croft to play positions longer than he would have liked. In the second half the Sycamores were able to get down the field and muster six shots. ISU’s closest scoring opportunity came when junior Beth Wagenhoffer’s shot hit the right cross bar and bounced across the box in front of the goal. Wagenhoffer would follow the shot, but Cardinal goalkeeper Alison Becker made the save. In the final 45 minutes, Ball State shot the ball seven more times and scored two more goals off the legs of Annie Aiello and Rein for her second goal of the game, assisted by Sarah Leibel. The Sycamores will look to put the first loss of the season behind them when they face off against Murray State on Sunday at home at 1 p.m.
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