On a cold, windy Thursday afternoon, the Ball State soccer team spoiled history.
No team had ever finished the regular season undefeated in the Mid-American Conference, and the Cardinals kept it that way.
In the final game of the season, Ball State took down MAC regular-season champion Toledo 1-0.
Based on records, the win was improbable. Ball State came into the game 0-8-2 in the conference, while Toledo had a perfect 10-0 mark.
"We should have beaten so many teams this year if just one thing would've gone our way," senior midfielder Missy Gordon said. "It was the difference between getting one win and six wins. We are capable of being a championship team. We knew we were going to win."
The Cardinals played as if they knew they would win, scoring the only goal of the contest. Gordon attacked the left sideline all game and broke down the Toledo defense in the 26th minute. Her cross into the six-yard box found senior defender Danielle Rogers' head and bounced into the back of the net.
"Missy is a potential game-changer out there every match," coach Craig Roberts said. "She exploited their defense with her experience and athleticism and it paid off."
The goal was Rogers' only goal in her one year as a Cardinal.
The rest of the game was all about defense. Toledo relentlessly attacked the entire second half, posting 10 shots. Freshman goalkeeper Layne Schramm and the rest of the backline held off the attempts and secured the win.
"It was never nervous out there, because I feel like we are solid on defense," Rogers said. "Me and Courtney were playing the midfield and didn't let anything through and Layne has been playing awesome for us. We never worried about them scoring and were relaxed and calm on the ball."
Ball State celebrated Senior Day five matches ago, but all the six seniors went out in style. Injuries sidelined Jacki Eft and Kristina Anderson, but they got to watch the other four seniors make an impact. Gordon and Rogers connected on the only goal of the match. Cortney Coombs patrolled the midfield, seemingly winning every ball and keeping possession. Defender Tina Vannatta saved a game-tying goal off the end line to preserve the win.
"Except if we were to say, win the conference championship, under the circumstances, there was no better way to go out for the seniors," Rogers said.
The win boosted Ball State's total to seven on the season, but Coombs said it did more for Ball State soccer going forward.
"It is a shame we can't continue or season the way we have been playing," she said. "But watch out for Ball State soccer next year. The future of this program is going nowhere but up. This is a great win for the team to hold onto moving into next spring."
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