The Ball State University field hockey team had better offensive statistics than Kent State, yet failed to earn the home win Thursday.
The Cardinals (3-13, 2-7 Mid-American Conference) outshot the Golden Flashes and had more penalty corners, but lost 2-0.
"I think the intensity level wasn't as high as normal," freshman defender Jodi Mann said. "I think it's just winding down to the end of the season. Kent State is first in the MAC, so I think that was kind of intimidating."
Ball State had 17 shots and 13 penalty corners, while Kent State managed 10 shots and five corners. Lindsay Quay led the Cards' offensive attack with seven shots, while Chantelle Isaac took five.
Neither team was able to capitalize on offensive chances early in the game. Britt Van Pelt scored the first goal of the game for Kent State on a penalty corner at the 29:55 mark.
"In my book, we were winning in the first 30 minutes of the ball game," coach Annette Payne said. "And I think that's huge for our team to recognize."
Kent State wasted little time by scoring 22 seconds into the second half on an unassisted goal by Elizabeth Lahey.
Kent State (7-12, 7-2 MAC) goalkeeper Linz Markwart notched 12 saves and picked up her second shutout this season.
Tracy Bannister stopped four shots for the Cards. Mann aided Bannister by making two defensive saves.
"It got past Tracy, and that doesn't happen very often," Mann said of her saves. "I was just at the right place at the right time."
Payne said the Cards played a good game but missed some chances.
"Small things were critical today," she said. "Sometimes that's the difference between a win and a loss."
Ball State will finish the regular season at 10 a.m. Sunday at Missouri State. A win would likely move the Cards into a fifth place seeding for the MAC Tournament next week.
Payne said she doesn't think the Cards will need to make many adjustments for their final regular season game.
"I don't want to change a whole lot," she said. "I think we're playing really well. We just need to finish in some areas."
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