Even with an undefeated weekend, the Ball State University soccer team did not get the production it had hoped for this weekend.
The Cardinals (8-7-1, 4-3-1 Mid-American Conference) tied the University of Akron (7-7-1, 2-5-1 MAC) 2-2 Sunday after beating Ohio University (3-9-3, 2-4-2 MAC) 2-0 Friday.
Even with the disappointment of not winning Sunday, coach Michael Lovett said the positive this weekend was that Ball State did not lose.
"We didn't lose," Lovett said. "We're still doing fine for MAC seedings and things. So the season is still going fine."
The Cardinals started the weekend with an unprecedented offensive attack as they set a program record with 36 shots against Ohio. After 16 shots in the first half, the Cardinals' 20 shots in the second half eclipsed their season average for a game of 16.3.
"I don't remember being part of a team that generated such an offense," Lovett said.
Emily Rein converted on one of her shots less than four minutes into Friday's game from six yards out. Megan Ridley capped off the Cardinals' scoring off a corner kick by Jen Vilkoski.
With Ball State pressuring Ohio, Cardinals' goalkeeper Rachael Murphy saw four shots in the game compared to the 36 the Bobcats' goalkeepers faced. Murphy recorded a save on the lone shot on goal by Ohio.
"Our defense was like unstoppable," Murphy said. "They couldn't get anything. I had like zero, one, two, saves, nothing really."
Murphy was pressured early Sunday as Akron scored one minute into the game on a breakaway.
The Cardinals outshot the Zips nine to two in the first half but could not get on the scoreboard.
"We just kind of played like we were sleepwalking through the first half," Lovett said. "The second half and overtime we totally turned it on."
Meg Mellott sparked the Cardinals' offense with a goal from 20 yards out less than four minutes into the second half.
Two minutes later Akron threatened to take the lead again, but Annie Aiello saved a shot in the corner of the goal and cleared it out. The Zips regained the advantage though with a 2-1 lead about 20 minutes after the Cardinals tied it.
However, Bailey Decker tied the game again at 2-2 with a goal from five yards out, which forced two overtimes in which neither team scored.
"It probably would have meant more if it was a win, but it kept us from losing so I was happy about it," she said.
Overall, Ball State recorded 66 shots on the weekend. Lovett said he was pleased by the attack the Cardinals generated, but they need to work on finishing the opportunities.
"When you have 66 shots in the weekend and four goals to show for them, that's not the best percentages," he said.
Five things to take away1. Ball State generated 66 shots on the weekend, including a program record 36 Friday.
2. The Cardinals' defense allowed four shots Friday, nine times less than the Bobcats' offense allowed.Sunday's tie against Akron was the Cardinals' first tie of the season, which continues their streak of having at least one tie in each of their 10 seasons.
3. Sunday's tie against Akron was the Cardinals' first tie of the season, which continues their streak of having at least one tie in each of their 10 seasons.
4. Coach Michael Lovett said a positive from the weekend was the Cardinals did not lose, which continues to help them as the MAC tournament approaches.
5. Ball State honored its eight seniors prior to Sunday's game, including seven players and student manager Emily Hollingsworth. All seven players - Rachael Murphy, Annie Aiello, Bailey Decker, Jen Vilkoski, Emily Rein, Sarah Schumacker and Katelyn Alexander - are starters.
Click here to see a video of highlights from Ball State's win over Ohio University
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