MUNCIE, Ind.  - The Ball State field hockey team concluded the 2009 season  with a 3-1 loss against Central Michigan 11 a.m. Thursday in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. 

        Both teams battled tough through the first 24 minutes; however, Central Michigan logged the first goal on a cross from the right side of the net.  The Chippewas found two more goals before the end of the period as Ball State trailed 3-0 at the half.

      The Cardinals contained the Central Michigan in the second half without giving up another goal.  Ball State took its first shots of the game within the first five minutes of the second period, producing 10 total to Central Michigan's eight in that period.  Brittany Hammer picked up the Cardinals' momentum with a goal at the 42:48 mark. Hammer led the team with two shots on goal.

        Goalkeeper Tiffany Shifflett earned shutdown five shots she faced in all 70 minutes in the cage.  Shifflett posted 132 saves, reaching the 401 save milestone in her career.  She is just the third person in Ball State field hockey history to do so.

        It was Kelly Jordan who was able to get past Shifflett's tough defensive showing with two goals for Central Michigan, who eventually earned the 3-1 victory.

        The Chippewas outshot Ball State 16-10 and led shots on goal 8-5.  Ball State's fouls inside the arc were the difference in penalty corner opportunities as the Chippewas' led 10-5.

        With the loss, Ball State wraps up the season with a 4-15 overall record, 2-8 in the MAC.  Central Michigan improves to 8-12 overall, 4-6 in the MAC with the win and moves into the semi-finals noon Friday facing top-seeded Ohio.  Miami defeated Missouri State 9-1 Thursday as well, and will face second-seeded Kent State 2:30 Friday. 

####