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MUNCIE, Ind. - In Mackenzie Calvert's previous line of work, her job was to keep the ball out of the net. However, on Friday, the junior midfielder netted a goal in the 82nd minute to send IUPUI (1-4) to a 1-0 win at Ball State (2-2).

Calvert, who transferred from St. Joseph's College prior to this season, played two years in goal for the Pumas, making 19 appearances as netminder. Prior to that, she set the Brownsburg High School record with 24 career shutouts and was an All-State keeper. Yet when she joined the Jaguars' roster this fall, head coach Chris Johnson opted to player her in the midfield.

On Friday, the move paid off.  

Calvert took advantage of a late scoring chance and slotted a shot past BSU goalkeeper Aubrey Buehler for the game's first goal and the Jaguars' first win of the 2012 season. Freshman Sierra Bryant helped setup the play with a cross that nicked off Kalli Shepler-Tucker before coming free to Calvert.

"Actually, I didn't see it go in," Calvert said. "I knew it was going in because I saw (the ball) go under the goalie's hand and I knew it was going to get cleared off the line. It was the best feeling I've had in playing soccer. I just happened to be there in the right time."

At the defensive end, junior goalkeeper Giselle Guzman and the Jaguars' back line weathered a first half storm that saw Ball State outshoot the Jaguars, 8-1. In fact, IUPUI didn't get a shot to goal until the game's 63rd minute when sophomore Taylor Heidorn tested Buehler with an attempt. The strong defensive effort bought time until Calvert could tally the eventual game-winner. Calvert was able to possess a loose ball deep in BSU territory and rolled a shot to Buehler's right, into the open net.

"Gigi kept us in the game long enough for us to finally put something together and put something away," head coach Chris Johnson said. "The players played pretty big. This was a huge win for us.

"I give credit to our back line as well. While they weren't the most organized at all times, they helped keep us in this game. Lauren Kulaga and Kelli Parks played really well back there and Sammi Deer came in and gave us good minutes."

Johnson specifically pointed to a play from Kulaga that didn't show up in the box score, but showed first hand his team is growing.

Against Cleveland State, Kulaga gave a lackluster effort on a defensive assignment, allowing an attacker to get a clean cross through IUPUI's box that ultimately resulted in a goal. The team watched the play repeatedly on film this week and vowed to correct the mistake moving forward. Given a similar situation at BSU on Friday, Kulaga delivered a hard tackle to stop a Cardinals' possession.

"We're starting to change," Johnson said. "It's a slow process, but we're starting to come around. Just a play like that shows me that the girls are doing the right things, learning and continuing to work hard to make it happen."

Ball State commanded possession and outshot IUPUI 17-6 overall and 4-2 on goal, but was unable to capitalize on chances. Guzman made four saves and earned her third career shutout. The win was the Jaguars' first over Ball State since 1999 and just the second-ever win over the Cardinals. It also snapped the Jaguars' four-game losing streak to start the year.

"We needed this to boost morale," Calvert said. "We see this as a kickoff to a winning streak."

IUPUI will continue the non-conference slate on Sunday when the Jaguars host Xavier at Michael A. Carroll Stadium at 1:00 p.m.. Like every home match this season, admission is free and open to the general public.