MUNCIE, Ind. ? The top seeded Ball State soccer team saw its run towards the 2007 Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship come to an end on Friday afternoon, as the Cardinals fell to fourth seeded Bowling Green on penalty kicks at the BSU Soccer Field. The two teams battled to a scoreless tie through 110 minutes of action before the Falcons advanced to the MAC Tournament Final with a 3-0 advantage on penalty kicks.
“Obviously, this is a disappointing way to end our season,” second-year head coach Michelle Salmon said. “We had a great season playing consistent soccer and today we continued that trend with a great defensive performance. This loss doesn't take anything away from the great year that we had. We have been able to accomplish so much on and off the field this season that this will go down as one of the most memorable teams I have ever had the privilege to coach.”
The Cardinals dominated play throughout the game as they held a 17-7 advantage in shots. Ball State came out of the gate quickly to start the day using the momentum of playing at home in the MAC Tournament. Freshman forward Jacki Eft (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) looked to give the Cardinal the early lead in the seventh minute as she sent a shot towards the goal line off of a corner kick.
Bowling Green goalkeeper Alexa Arsenault was beat on the shot, but one of her defenders was there to clear the ball off of the goal line to keep the game scoreless. Senior defender Angie Heyer (Zanesville, Ind./Zanesville) ran onto the partial clear and ripped a shot low that just skipped outside the post as the Falcons scrambled to recover.
Junior midfielder Katelyn Alexander (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) almost found the back of the net in the 14th minute off of a free kick. Alexander struck the set piece from 20-yards out that sailed just over the cross bar to nullify the opportunity.
Bowling Green saw one of its better opportunities come early in the second half. The Falcons sent a corner kick into the box that fell between a group of players. After a scramble in the box, Falcon defender Samantha Bland sent a shot on goal that junior goalkeeper Rachael Murphy (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville) was there to smother.
Junior midfielder Annie Aiello (Granger, Ind./Penn) broke free in the 51st minute as she made a run and split two Bowling Green defenders. She sent a low hard shot towards the corner, but Arsenault was there to make the save.
Ball State appeared to score the go ahead goal in the 70th minute before having it wiped off the board due to an offsides call. Sophomore midfielder Megan Ridley (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) found junior forward Bailey Decker (Granger, Ind./Penn) in the box with a pass. Decker re-directed the pass into the back of the net off of the goal post and past Arsenault. The goal was waved off as Ball State was called for being in an offside position.
The Cardinals had a chance in the 73rd minute as freshman Kristina Anderson (Hamilton, Ohio/Badin) was pulled down 20-yards out for a free kick. Alexander sent a cross into the box where senior defender Lindsay Martin (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) sent a header just wide of goal.
Ball State had the best opportunity in either overtime period off of a corner kick in the 103rd minute. Alexander sent the kick into the box where Ridley was able to poke it towards goal, but Arsenault was there to save the shot and force the game into penalty kicks.
Murphy finished the afternoon with three saves while posting her 10th shutout of the season. Arsenault turned in five saves while also getting the benefit of the crucial first half team save.
Bowling Green (10-9-2) opened the penalty kick stage as Colleen Kordan converted the first attempt. Falcon backup goalkeeper Christy Zabek came on for the penalty kicks and was able to stop Martin on BSU's first attempt. Brianne Eisenhard converted the second attempt for Bowling Green while junior defender Jen Vilkoski's (Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield) attempt hit the outside of the post. After Danielle Cygan converted the third attempt, Zabek was able to stop Aiello's try to end the Falcons to victory.
The loss is the third all-time for the Cardinals in MAC Tournament semifinal play, with all three losses coming off of penalty kicks. Ball State finishes the season with a 13-5-2 overall record on the season. The 13 victories are tied for third most in a single season in BSU while Murphy's 10 shutouts are a new single season record.
Bowling Green and second seeded Toledo will meet on Sunday afternoon for the 2007 MAC Tournament Championship. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the BSU Soccer Field with the winner receiving the MAC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Toledo advanced to the final with a 4-3 victory in penalty kicks over third seeded Northern Illinois. This marks the first time in MAC Tournament history that both semifinal games were decided on penalty kicks.
2007 Mid-American Conference Tournament Semifinals
#1 Ball State vs. #4 Bowling Green
Bowling Green advances on penalty kicks, 3-0
1.) #5 Colleen Kordan (Bowling Green) ? Kick good
2.) #24 Lindsay Martin (Ball State) ? Kick failed (saved)
3.) #16 Brianne Eisenhard (Bowling Green) ? Kick good
4.) #15 Jen Vilkoski (Ball State) Kick failed ? (wide left)
5.) #17 Danielle Cygan (Bowling Green) ? Kick good
6.) #2 Annie Aiello (Ball State) kick failed ? (saved)
Bowling Green goalkeeper Christy Zabek
Ball State goalkeeper Rachael Murphy
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