When the freshmen joined practice in early August, it was clear some of them would play significant time for the Ball State soccer team.
Throughout the course of the season, five freshmen started in over half of Ball State's 21 games. Seven freshmen appeared in at least 15 games. They impacted every position on the field except goalkeeper.
In Sunday's Mid-American Conference Tournament game, all that experience couldn't save the Cardinals.
No. 6 seeded Ball State lost 1-0 at No. 3 seeded Western Michigan. It was the team's fifth consecutive defeat and the second to Western Michigan in the season.
Coach Craig Roberts said the team's problem all season effectively ended its season. Ball State couldn't convert any of its 13 shots into goals.
"Where we were given the opportunities in the beginning of the season, we took them," Roberts said. "We were just falling short of doing that down the stretch. It was just a case of capitalizing and making sure you're consistently proficient in what you're doing."
Roberts said he attributed that to all the youth on the field. He said the team still needs to mature before it can break through in tournament.
Senior Abby Milillo said the team played well up until a defensive lapse in the 75th minute. The Broncos' Diana Dedvukaj headed a cross into the back of the net to score the lone goal of the game.
Despite the struggles to end the season, Ball State posted a 9-9-3 record. It was the first time since 2007 the team finished with at least a .500 record.
Ball State will lose two seniors, Milillo and fellow midfielder Christine Concannon. Many letterwinners will return and Milillo sees this team becoming a real threat in the future.
Western Michigan moves on and will face Central Michigan in the semifinals next weekend. If Ball State repeats its progression from this season, Milillo believes a championship run is close. Her coach echoed that same claim.
"We are a completely new team from where we were when I took over last year," Roberts said. "We're definitely back on a winning track and there's nobody on the team that questions that anymore. We've taken the program to new heights."
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