While Ball State finally got its offense on track and battled back to earn a 3-3 tie against Bowling Green, there is a harsh reality concerning the Cardinals' 0-5-1 start in conference play.
With just five games remaining and only the top eight teams earning bids to the Mid-American Conference Tournament, the Cardinals are in must-win mode.
"The bottom of the conference is separated by a tie or a win, so we're in the mix," coach Craig Roberts said. "But we must win now and continue to improve like we have. ... We can't have any regression."
The next two teams on the Cardinals' schedule are Buffalo and Kent State, and neither team has a victory in MAC play. It will be crucial for Ball State to pick up wins in both games before finishing the season against the top three teams in the MAC West.
Roberts said his team's performance shows it has the necessary sense of urgency to get back in the tournament race.
"I'm proud that we didn't settle for a tie," Roberts said. "It shows the confidence we have in each other and that's the approach we need to have."
In order to pick up a couple of wins next weekend, the Cardinals will need to continue to cash in scoring opportunities against two of the conference's worst in goals against average.
Continuing to be aggressive in the penalty box – all three Cardinal goals came from within 15 yards – and creating scoring opportunities on crosses and corner kicks will be key in the upcoming games.
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