by Ball State soccer concluded the 2024 season with a 7-8-3 record and a 2-6-3 mark in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, finishing second-to-last in the conference. The Cardinals believe the result was unacceptable.
“We were almost at rock bottom,” senior Grace Konopatzki said. “There’s nowhere to go except for up.”
Under a new coaching staff and a well-blended roster of veterans and underclassmen, the Cardinals come into the 2025 season with one collective goal: to win a MAC Championship.
“I’m not really thinking about personal goals right now,” senior Addie Chester said. “A MAC Championship is entirely what we’re worried about this season.”
After former head coach Josh Rife accepted the head coaching role at Indiana University, Ball State announced March 11 that Andy Stoots would be taking over the program. Stoots comes to Muncie after spending four years as associate head coach at the University of Missouri.
He said the team has handled the transition well and has been ready to go since the very beginning.
“Being my first time to be a head coach, it’s certainly exciting. There’s a lot on our shoulders here, but I think it’s exciting for the players too,” Stoots said. “It’s a new start and a chance to try something new and to do some different things. I’m very blessed that they’ve been open to that.”
When asked about the roster, Stoots pointed to the team’s experience as something to watch for. The Cardinals have eight seniors on the roster. Last season, Chester — a Delta High School graduate and former Gatorade Player of the Year winner — led the program with 10 goals and 28 points.
She said the new coaching staff was something the Cardinals needed to return to the path of being a top team in the MAC.
“It’s honestly been the best thing that could have happened for our team,” she said. “I think the energy overall has been so much better. We’re all ready to go.”
Behind the Muncie local last season was then-junior Delaney Caldwell. After finishing with seven goals and 22 total points, she said she wants to be a better leader throughout her upcoming senior season. It’s something Stoots has asked of all his upperclassmen.
“Andy has talked about our performance culture [since the beginning],” she said. “Things like cheering each other on and staying positive. That’s another thing that we’ve been working on.”
Ball State will also see many underclassmen join them this year as the roster features seven true freshmen. The veteran Cardinals said the new members have stepped up with everything that has been asked of them.
Another area where the Cardinals think the new coaching staff has emphasized is the energy throughout the program. They said the intensity is much higher than what was asked for in the past.
“[It takes] a lot of coffee,” Stoots said. “ Playing a game and competing, there’s a lot of stress that comes with it. There are a lot of things and emotions that come with it. But gosh, we’re here to push them, challenge them and have a little fun too.
“College athletics is a grind. Everybody sees these young women on game days, but not everybody sees all the things that they’re doing day in and day out. I think from our coaching staff, we want them to know that we’re right there with them.”
Ball State hosted a scrimmage with Wright State Sunday, Aug. 11, and will compete in a second scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 14, at 4 p.m. against Holy Cross at Briner Sports Complex. They will officially kick off the 2025 campaign Sunday, Aug. 17, with a home match against Purdue. The game will start at 1 p.m.
Though the season won’t officially start until that match with the Boilermakers takes place, Stoots and the Cardinals have already decided the way they want to carry themselves this year.
“We are working with them and we’re here to push them, challenge them and pick them up when they need to be picked up,” Stoots said. “It’s just the way we are. We will always show up and have energy to work and compete.”
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu, zachcarter039@gmail.com or via X @ZachCarter85.
