MUNCIE, Ind. ? The Ball State soccer team dropped its second straight one-goal contest as the Cardinals fell 1-0 at Mid-American Conference foe Northern Illinois on Sunday afternoon at the NIU Soccer Complex. The loss drops the Cardinals to 8-9-1 on the season and 4-5-1 in MAC play, while NIU improves to 9-4-5 overall and 5-3-2 in conference play.
The Cardinals enter their final regular season game against Miami with a two-point lead over Ohio for the eighth and final spot in the 2008 MAC Tournament. The MAC standings give three points for a victory and one point for a tie. The Cardinals can clinch a spot in the tournament with a win or a tie against Miami or an Ohio loss or a tie against Akron Thursday. Ball State can finish anywhere from seventh through the ninth spot in the MAC regular season standings.
“We didn't compete hard enough today against a good team in Northern Illinois,” head coach Michael Lovett said. “We have to regroup and get ready for a big game Thursday against Miami that has MAC Tournament implications.”
Northern Illinois became the first team in the MAC this season to out-shoot the Cardinals as the Huskies held a 9-7 advantage in shots. The Cardinals have only been out-shot six times this season and today's game marks the first time since Dayton held an 18-15 advantage earlier this season.
Northern Illinois picked up the game's only goal in the 55th minute off of a scramble in front of the Cardinals' goal after a free kick by the Huskies. NIU forward Thea Johnson was able to pounce on the loose ball and directed into the back of the goal past senior goalkeeper Rachael Murphy (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville).
Ball State came within inches of finding the game-tying goal in the 60th minute. Senior midfielder Bailey Decker (Granger, Ind./Penn) ripped a shot from 15 yards out that beat NIU goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock but the ball caromed off of the cross bar to thwart the Cardinals near goal.
Decker finished the game with a team-high three shots in the loss for the Cardinals while Lisa Maier added three shots for the Huskies. Murphy posted five saves in the loss and Curnock recorded five saves in the shutout.
The Cardinals will wrap up the 2008 regular season Thursday afternoon as they host MAC arch rival Miami. Game time is set for 3 p.m. at the BSU Soccer Field. The game will be broadcast online at www.ballstatesports.com courtesy of the Ball State Sports Link.
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