By Jordan Shim–

Ball State traveled to Louisville and stunned the women’s soccer team in the Battle of the Cardinals on Friday night. Lorina White’s overtime winner gave Ball State their first road victory of the season. Both teams are now 4-2-1.

To say Louisville dominated every aspect of the game is not a figure of speech. Louisville had possession for the majority of the contest, and the shot advantage is a clear indicator. Twenty-three shots, with 11 on goal, to Ball State’s four.

“We had the ball 90 percent of the time,” coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes said. “I thought we actually played very well. Statistically more shots, more everything, but that’s the nature of soccer. You don’t need a lot of chances to win a game.”

Chances for U of L came early and often. Their best opportunity came in the 43rd minute. Jill Vetere curled a shot to the right post upper 90, but Ball State goalkeeper Alyssa Heintschel had just enough length to tap the ball over for a corner kick.

Ball State was content with a 0-0 result. They often kept numbers behind the ball, stayed organized at the back and gave Louisville trouble breaking them down.

“They were completely content with keeping numbers behind the ball and sitting in, and that’s okay,” Ferguson-Dayes said. “I don’t think it frustrated us, but we couldn’t solve it. And the times we did solve it, their keeper was really good.”

Ball State’s White broke the deadlock in the seventh minute of the second half of overtime. White controlled a failed clearance, dribbled past a U of L defender and hit a low hard shot past Taylor Bucklin.

“She’s a very good player, she was very dominant in the air and she scored a great goal,” coach Ferguson-Dayes said. “That one is definitely difficult to swallow.”

Gabrielle Vincent led Louisville with five shots. Niamh Nelson and Vetere followed with four.

After a heartbreaking loss, Louisville will not have any time to sulk on the loss. A quick turnaround may be the best thing for coach Ferguson-Dayes and the team.

“You got to have a short memory,” coach Ferguson-Dayes said. “This one stings, but it’s over. We have got to move on. We have another big game, and we’ll be ready for that one.”

U of L will host Belmont on Sunday, Sept. 11 before going on the road for the first time this regular season. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

File Photo / The Louisville Cardinal