A 1-0 loss at the University at Buffalo Friday prevented the Ball State University soccer team from clinching the Mid-American Conference regular season championship this weekend.
However, the Cardinals (11-5-1, 8-1-1 MAC) maintained their MAC lead with a 2-1 win at Kent State University (7-9-1, 5-5 MAC) Sunday.
Coach Michelle Salmon said she is pleased where her team is at but the Cardinals have to watch out as everyone is out to beat them as they were predicted to win the MAC this season.
"The secret is kind of out on us that we are a pretty good team," Salmon said.
Junior Emily Rein said Salmon has taught the team to look at what it takes away from the game, not the score. With that mindset, the forward said the loss to the Bulls (6-10-2, 3-6-1 MAC) was disappointing but the team can learn a lot from it.
"I think we came away from that game with a lot more than we could have with a win," Rein said.
The Cardinals' learned that they have to approach all games the same and not let teams jump out early, Rein said.
Salmon said the Cardinals dominated most of the game Friday but had to chase the Bulls after allowing an early goal.
"We did some really great things in that game but we couldn't find the back of the net," Salmon said.
Rein began the scoring for Ball State Sunday with a goal in the 39th minute, her team-leading sixth goal of the season. The goal was the 22nd of Rein's career, which is third all-time at Ball State. Her 55 points are also third in Cardinals' history.
Less than two minutes after Rein gave the Cardinals the lead, junior Sarah Schumacker extended it to 2-0 with a goal.
A Kent State goal then decreased the Cardinals' lead.
After shutting out their first six opponents in the MAC, the Cardinals have allowed goals in three of their last four games, going 1-1-1 in the three MAC games in which they allowed a goal.
Bad field conditions contributed to more balls to get through the Cardinals' defense and to their junior goalkeeper Rachael Murphy, Salmon said. She said the defense is still playing well and getting positive results.
Murphy saved eight shots Sunday and had a career-high nine saves Friday. She entered the weekend best in the MAC in goals against average but last in saves.
"She's one of the top one or two keepers in the MAC," Salmon said. "She's one of the top keepers in the region."
With a double-overtime win Sunday against Ohio University (4-10-3, 4-5-1 MAC), the University of Toledo (13-4-1, 8-2 MAC) remained one point behind Ball State, 25-24, in the conference standings. Wins are worth three points and ties are worth one point in the standings.
The Cardinals and Rockets have the top two spots and home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the MAC Tournament clinched.
"It's in our control," Rein said. "It's right where we want it."
Ball State can win the MAC with a win Thursday at Miami University (6-8-3, 4-5-1 MAC) or a Toledo loss or tie at Bowling Green State University (8-9-1, 5-5 MAC).
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