Ohio (9-3-2, 5-0-2 MAC) was able to stay undefeated in Mid-American Conference play after a 0-0 tie with Ball State (4-7-2, 2-3-2 MAC).
“We’re moving in the right direction,” head coach Josh Rife said. “This just shows the quality in our group. I know the results haven’t been going the way we want them, but it’s not because we’re not a good team. So, to take Ohio the distance today, there’s something to be said for that.”
Ball State had multiple close chances, including a shot by Senior midfielder Chelcy Ralph in the 41st that ricocheted off the left goalpost, and a shot in the 60th minute by Senior defender Lexy Smith that rolled along the goal line before getting kicked out.
“We did better than we have been doing, but we still haven’t come up with a win,” Ralph said. “As a team, we’re disappointed, but we are pleased with the improvements from previous games, but still disappointed we didn’t come out with the three points.”
The Bobcats outshot the Cardinals 14-9 total, and 6-3 on shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Alex DeRuvo got her second shutout of the season and recorded six saves.
“They’re at the top of the table,” DeRuvo said. “Our backline set a goal to have a shutout, and we did. Although we didn’t win, we still got a point. The only way is up now.”
Ball State was called for 13 fouls compared to Ohio's seven, but Rife liked the aggressiveness.
“Officials are going to make calls, and it’s not good or bad either way,” Rife said. “I did think we played tough, we played hard, and I think when you do that, there’s going to be calls that the referee is going to make. We just have to be about to adjust game to game.”
Rife said he was proud of how Ball State played against the last remaining undefeated team in MAC play.
“I thought we played really well, we came out strong, played with a ton of belief and a lot of heart,” Rife said. “Really proud of the effort. Obviously, you want to win every game, so still disappointed, at some level, with the result, but, a shutout against the top team in the conference, and, at some level, you feel good about it.”
Ball State will be on the road against Kent State Sunday, Oct 17 at 1 p.m.
Contact Nate Grubb with comments at nathaniel.grubb@bsu.edu or on Twitter @GrubbNate43
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