Ball State University
Buffalo
Soccer Downs Buffalo, 3-2, In MAC Play
September 24, 2006 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State soccer team continued its strong play this weekend as the Cardinals improved to 2-0 in Mid-American Conference action as they downed Buffalo, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at the BSU Soccer Field. The victory improves the Cardinals to
"We showed a lot of poise this afternoon and put a lot of pressure on the Buffalo defense all game long," first-year head coach Michelle Salmon said. "Our midfield played fantastic today as they controlled the pace of the play especially in the second half."
Ball State began the game with a jolt as the Cardinals took advantage of a Buffalo miscue to notch a goal just 51 seconds into the game. Buffalo goalkeeper Amy Coron misplayed a ball in the box that sophomore Emily Rein pounced on and deposited it into the open net for the 1-0 BSU lead.
Buffalo answered the initial Cardinal threat with a goal of its own in the 29th minute of the game. Ashley Turner was able to intercept a BSU clearing attempt and volley a shot past a diving Rachael Murphy for the tying goal.
The tie score would not last long as the Cardinals continued to control the tempo. The BSU hard work paid off in the 36th minute as senior midfielder Vandi Ogden corralled a clearing attempt at the top of the 18-yard box and blasted a shot past Coron for her third goal of the season.
The Cardinals extended their lead to two goals in the 52nd minute off of a set piece. Ogden took a free kick from near midfield that Rein was able to flick into the box. Midfielder Amy Holst was the beneficiary of the passing sequence as she placed the ball into the back of the net just in front of the goalkeeper for her fourth goal of the season.
Buffalo continued to battle despite being out-shot 22-5 as the Bulls pulled within one goal in the 72nd minute. The Bulls used a short corner kick to set up a goal off of a header from Julie Dale.
The Cardinal defense buckled down and kept the Bulls from tying the game over the final 18-plus minutes.
Murphy finished the game with one save while Coron posted eight saves in the loss. Rein and Ogden each picked up three points in the victory as they both tallied a goal and an assist.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Friday afternoon as they travel to Bowling Green for a
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