With the end of Sunday's game, the Ball State University soccer team passed the midway point of the Mid-American Conference season without allowing a goal against a conference opponent this season.
The Cardinals (8-4-1, 5-0-1 MAC) defeated Western Michigan University (2-9-2, 0-5-1 MAC) 2-0 to extend their shutout streak to seven games, including six in the MAC.
"We've been playing great," senior Sarah Leibel said. "The defense is all clicking together and the offense is starting to come together and starting to get a little more confidence."
The Cardinals lost their five-game unbeaten streak in a scoreless tie against Northern Illinois University Friday. It was important for Ball State to bounce back against Western Michigan, coach Michelle Salmon said.
"Coming off a performance against Northern Illinois where I don't think any one of us was too pleased with how we played it was huge," Salmon said. "I thought our second half was the best soccer we've played to date."
Both of the Cardinals' goals came in the second half as junior Annie Aiello converted a penalty kick and Leibel added another goal.
Aiello's goal ended a shutout streak for the Cardinals' offense, which had not scored in more than 250 minutes of play.
Prior to the goal the Cardinals hit the crossbar twice in the game. They hit the crossbar twice more for four total times in the game.
"Soccer is a lucky, unlucky game and I think that was just unlucky," Aiello said.
Salmon said the crossbar hits means that the team was on the attacking end of the field, and with continued hard work, the balls will go in the goal.
"I always say hard work produces luck, and we keep working hard and today we're hitting the bar and next time they're going in," Salmon said.
Junior Jen Vilkoski did not play Sunday after she suffered an injury Friday. Vilkoski decided she could not play minutes before the game, and Salmon said she is listed as day-to-day,
Aiello moved from her normal position in the midfield to fill in for Vilkoski.
Even without Vilkoski, Salmon said the team played great and it is now ready to peak.
With a 1-0 University of Toledo loss to Kent State University Sunday, Ball State is in sole possession of first place in the MAC. Salmon smiled as she heard the news after Ball State's game.
"Sitting alone in the MAC, right now we're at the midway point, I'd be much happy if we're sitting alone at the top of the MAC at the end of the season," Salmon said.
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