Senior Day for the Ball State University soccer team seemed to be a perfect day to end its six-game losing streak. Ball State was able to end the losing streak, but did not pick up the win either, in a 1-1 draw against Western Michigan University on Sunday afternoon.
Before the match, seniors Megan Ridley and Amy Cleeter were recognized for their four years at Ball State. Since freshman goalkeeper Nicole Wood was out with an elbow injury, Cleeter got the start and played all 110 minutes.
The beginning of the match started out slow for both the Cardinals and the Broncos. The teams were able to get shots off, but all were either stopped or were wide of the goal.
Western Michigan took the lead in the 38th minute when forward Caitlin Henderson sent a shot from outside the 18-yard box into the upper right corner of the goal to put them up 1-0.
"Henderson took an incredible shot and there really wasn't anything Amy could have done about it," coach Michael Lovett said. "As soon as she shot it, I knew it was going upper 90."
The Cardinals had a chance to even the game when junior forward Missy Gordon was jostled inside the 18-yard box but no foul was called.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Broncos until Ridley put in a shot past goalkeeper Sarah Phillips in the 89th minute to even the match.
"I was in complete excitement when I scored that goal," Ridley said. "I can't even really describe what I'm feeling right now. Being able to score on Senior Day and to score like that to tie the game was just amazing."
Ridley's goal forced the match to overtime. It was the first time all season that the Cardinals played in an overtime match. Lovett said that to prepare for an overtime match took a lot of fitness training.
In the overtime, both teams had chances to score to end the match but were unsuccessful in both 10-minute overtime periods.
"Today we played two very good halves and gave ourselves a chance to get the result we wanted. Western Michigan scored a great goal and our goal was produced with heart and will to not give up today," Lovett said. "We refused to lose today. I'm content in the fact that we tied and didn't lose, but I would have much preferred the win, which I thought was possible today."
Lovett said he believed his team had the momentum going into overtime from the late goal in regulation. He said that he felt his team would get a game-winning goal in overtime.
"I would have liked to win today but I thought we played extremely hard today," Cleeter said. "I was proud we didn't give up this game and refused to lose and got the tie."
Ridley said she would take the tie over a loss any day and was happy to not lose on Senior Day.
The tie eliminates the Cardinals from reaching the Mid-American Conference tournament at the end of the regular season. Their final match will be on Thursday at Miami University.
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