Soccer's Streak Ends in OT at Western Michigan

Sunday, October 18

Kalamazoo, Mich.

1:00 PM

Ball State University

11-3-2, 7-1-0MAC

Western Michigan

9-3-3, 6-1-1MAC

Team	1	2	OT 3	OT 4	Final F
Ball State	1	0	0	0	1
Western Michigan	1	0	0	1	2

October 18, 2015 | Soccer

Box Score PDF Release

By: Ball State Athletics

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Ball State soccer team saw its eight-game winning streak come to an end with a 2-1 loss in double overtime Sunday at Western Michigan.

Tiffany Buckler scored in the 105th minute to hand the Cardinals their first defeat since Sept. 6 in a matchup of the top two teams in the Mid-American Conference standings.

Despite the loss, Ball State (11-3-2 overall) remains in control of the conference race at 7-1 in the league. The Cardinals have 21 points in the standings and are two points ahead of the Broncos (9-3-3 overall, 6-1-1 MAC) for the top spot.

"We had some opportunities that we just didn't convert," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "We've been playing very well, but sometimes losing a game can allow you to refocus on what you need to improve. There will be positives from this game, and we'll grow from it and come back stronger."

Ball State got off to a fast start for the second straight game with Abbie Boswell scoring her ninth goal of the season in the 13th minute. The Cardinals held onto that lead for most of the first half until Emma Kahn evened the score for Western Michigan six minutes before the break.

The teams went scoreless through the second half and the first overtime period, though a shot by Ball State's Kalynn Flanagan hit off the post in the 96th minute.

The dynamic of the game changed near the end of the first OT when a red card forced Ball State to play shorthanded the rest of the way.

It was an unfortunate circumstance for the Cardinals, especially considering Roberts believed a contact foul by Western Michigan on a breakaway for Chelsy Swackhamer in the first half warranted a red card. But only a yellow was given, and the Broncos continued to play at full strength.

"Western Michigan is a good team, and it was a very competitive game," Roberts said. "I just felt that was a pivotal point early on."

Buckler's game-winner came less than five minutes into the second overtime as the result of a Western Michigan free kick. Ball State headed away the initial attempt, but Buckler headed the ball back in and it managed to find the corner of the net.

Ball State out-shot Western Michigan by a 12-6 margin for the game. The Cardinals entered the day with the second-fewest fouls of any team during MAC play but were whistled for 17 fouls to 10 for the Broncos.

There are now three games remaining in the regular season. The Cardinals will return home to the Briner Sports Complex next weekend to host Akron at 4 p.m. Friday for Senior Day and Buffalo at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Ball State's eight-game winning streak entering the day was tied for the longest active streak in the country. The team's winning streak and nine-game unbeaten streak were both tied for the best in school history.