Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Ball State
Another Day, Another Shutout as 'Cats Quiet Cardinals, 3-0
9/10/2013 12:00:00β―AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 10, 2013
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#12 Northwestern 3, Ball State 0 BSU Turf Field • Muncie, Ind. • Attendance: 175 Box Score | Box Score 
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MUNCIE, Ind. -- No. 12 Northwestern notched its third shutout in four games as the Wildcats rolled to a 3-0 victory at Ball State Tuesday afternoon.
NU dominated the game statistically, recording advantages of 31-7 in shots and 16-2 in penalty corners. Only the goalkeeping of BSU's Shelby Henley (15 saves) prevented the final score from being a wider margin.
Defensively, the Wildcats have surrendered just one goal over their last four matches en route to compiling a five-game winning streak. Maddy Carpenter made three saves to earn the victory in goal.
The 'Cats pounced on the Cardinals right from the start, recording five shots on goal over the opening 4:15 of play. The pressure finally paid off at 5:04 as Dominique Masters ripped home a shot following a penalty corner to put the visitors in front.
Despite a huge discrepancy in shots between the teams, Ball State was able to hang within one goal until a little under 11 minutes remained in the opening half. After another corner, Lisa McCarthy's shot was saved by defender Bianca Velez, but Caroline Troncelliti was able to knock home her first score of the day seconds later off an assist from Nikki Parsley.
Northwestern took the 2-0 lead into the intermission as Henley kept the hosts close by making 10 saves over the opening 35 minutes of play, while Velez stopped a pair of potential scores herself.
Parsley and Troncelliti teamed up once again to help put the game out of reach at 45:32 as Parsley tallied a goal this time off the sophomore's assist, giving the Wildcats a three-goal advantage that they would maintain throughout the remainder of the matchup.
In all, 22 individuals saw playing time for NU compared to 12 for Ball State.
Masters and Tara Puffenberger led the Wildcats with eight shots apiece with each player placing four on target.
Northwestern is back in action at 1 p.m. Friday as it hosts California at Lakeside Field.
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