CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Coming off their season opener on Thursday night, the Queens University of Charlotte (0-1-1) women's soccer team played the visiting Ball State Cardinals (0-1-1) to a draw at Dickson Field. Senior goalkeeper Erica Turner was sensational in net for Queens recording 10 saves on the day and keeping the ferocious Cardinals attack at bay.

Turning Point

• Despite a scoreless afternoon, ASUN Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year Fan Favorite Erica Turner proved to be the turning point earning 10 saves. The mark is the third most saves in a single game in the senior's career. The aggressive Ball State attack managed to put 17 shots up, including 11 on net.

 
Key Stats & Notes

• The opening half was played on the attack as both teams combined for nine shots, including five on goal.
• The Cardinals managed to earn eight corners compared to the Royals one and held possession for 55-percent of the afternoon.
• Nia Gaither led the Royals on the attack posting a pair of shots, including one on net in the 17^th minute which the Cardinals keeper made a diving save. Just moments before, Gaither took an opportunity from 25 yards out that missed just inches above the cross bar.
• The first of Ball State's best scoring opportunities came at the 62^nd minute when Jenna Dombrowski deflected a shot off the right post. Just two minutes later, fellow Cardinal Avery Fenchel got into open space inside the box and ripped a shot on net, but Erica Turner managed to kick save it away to keep the score even.
• 20 Royals saw action on the afternoon, including five playing 75 minutes or more.
• Connie Dutton, Lauren Kayll, and Mia Manuel each tallied a shot on the afternoon while Kayll placed one on net.
• Gaither and Manuel have posted a shot in back-to-back outings for the Royals.

 
From Coach Noel
"We had more people see the field tonight, some of which got their first minutes in a Queens uniform. The attitude and support from our bench from start the finish was fantastic. All the credit to Ball State because they gave us a fight from start to finish. We really relied on our backline and Erica made some fantastic saves to keep them off the score line and get us our first shutout of the year."
 
Up Next
Queens will open a four-game road stretch beginning on Thursday, Aug. 25 at Mississippi College. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. in Clinton, Mississippi. Last season, the Royals took down the #2 ranked Choctaws 1-0 at the Columbus State Invitational to open the season.

Social Media
Be sure to follow the Queens Women's Soccer team on Twitter and Instagram throughout the 2022 season to get the latest news and updates. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok to keep up with all the Royals in action.