MUNCIE, IND.- The Villanova Wildcats fell to the Cardinals of Ball State on their first road game in a tough 4-3 loss.
 
The Cardinals took an early lead in the first quarter scoring two goals and then scoring another as the second quarter started.
 
The Wildcats answered back with a goal scored by sophomore midfielder Anne Drabbe for her first goal of the season in the middle of the second quarter. Junior forward Meghan Mitchell followed Drabbe's goal with a goal of her own in the second assisted by graduate midfielder Makenna Maguire.
 
The Cardinals did not let up and scored another goal making it a 4-2 game. Despite the Wildcats having the advantage in corners for most of the game as well as more shots on goal they were unable to produce on those attempts due to the strong Cardinal defense and goalie work from #01 Ally Butler.
 
The Wildcats never gave up and continued to attack on offense leading to one more goal scored by Maguire late in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the Wildcats efforts just weren't enough in the end taking their first loss of the season.
 
Assistant coach Carrera Lucas commented on the level of play and some takeaways from the loss that can be improved upon for their next game.
 
"We started slow today and Ball State did a good job of capitalizing on the early opportunities we gave them," Lucas said. "We fought hard in the last three quarters to close the gap but fell short in the end."
 
The Wildcats continue on the road for their second away game of the season on Sunday Sep. 11 when they face off against the Quakers of the University of Pennsylvania. Game time is set for 12 p.m.
 
 
Game Recap By Quarters
1^st Quarter
- Ball State goal scored by #17 Michaela Graney (1:07) assisted by #10 Libby Kraus and #4 Emma Hilton
- Ball State goal scored by #22 Kerrianne McClay (5:46) assisted by #10 Libby Kraus and #4 Emma Hilton
- Shots on goal 6-3 (VU-BALLST)
-Corners 2-2 (VU-BALLST)
- BALLST goalie #01 Ally Butler had 6 saves
- VU goalie #9 Claire Borman had 1 save
 
2^nd Quarter
- Ball State goal scored by #16 Angel Nkosi (16:52) assisted by #26 Christine Ditizio
- Goal scored by #10 Anne Drabbe (18:30) assisted by #11 Meghan Mitchell
- Goal scored by #11 Meghan Mitchell (27:57) assisted by #22 Makenna Maguire
- Shots on goal 4-1 (VU-BALLST)
-Corners 2-0 (VU-BALLST)
- BALLST goalie #01 Ally Butler had 2 saves
- VU goalie #15 Emma Leppert had no saves
- BALLST Green card issued to #22 Kerrianne McClay
- BALLST Green card issued to #5 Taylor Sullivan
 
3^rd Quarter
- Ball State goal scored by #12 Fleur Nopert (32:25) assisted by #19 Rachel Bohn
- Shots on goal 3-1(VU-BALLST)
- Corners 5-1 (VU-BALLST)
- BALLST goalie #01 Ally Butler had 3 save
- VU goalie #15 Claire Borman had no saves
- VU Green card issued to #4 Emma Schwarz
 
4^th Quarter
- Goal scored by #22 Makenna Maguire (56:51)
- Shots on goal 3-4 (VU-BALLST)
- Corners 1-4 (VU-BALLST)
- BALLST goalie #01 Ally Butler had 2 save
- VU goalie #15 Claire Borman had 4 saves