Soccer Stays Unbeaten in MAC with Draw at CMU

Sunday, October 2

Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

1:00 PM

Ball State University

8-2-2, 3-0-1MAC

Central Michigan

10-1-1, 2-1-1MAC

OT 3

OT 4

Ball State

Central Michigan

Chay McNitt

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

October 02, 2016 | Soccer

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MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State soccer team remained undefeated in Mid-American Conference play with a scoreless draw in double overtime Sunday at Central Michigan.

The Cardinals and Chippewas came into the game with a combined record of 18-3-1, and they went toe-to-toe for 110 minutes. The result kept Ball State (8-2-2) atop the MAC West Division at 3-0-1 in conference play. Central Michigan (10-1-1) is now 2-1-1 in league play.

The Chippewas came into the game with one of the most high-powered offenses in the league, led by the MAC's top scorer Alexis Pelafas with 11 goals. But CMU managed only seven total shots and three shots on goal against the Cardinals.

"I thought Chay McNitt was outstanding for us in the midfield, and our back line was able to shut down their scoring threats," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "I thought our team showed true character with a gritty performance against a good team in our second road game of the weekend."

There weren't a ton of scoring chances to be had Sunday. The teams had just one corner kick apiece. Ball State had nine shot attempts in the game and a few opportunities to break through. Julia Elvbo forced CMU keeper Kristen Knutson to stretch fully for a save in the first half to keep things scoreless.

Ball State keeper Alyssa Heintschel made three saves in the game, including two during the first overtime period. The Cardinals posted their fifth shutout in the past six games and lowered their goals against average to 0.71 for the season.

Elvbo, Paula Guerrero and Allison Abbe led the Cardinals offensively with two shots each.

Ball State saw its five-game winning streak come to an end, but the Cardinals extended their unbeaten streak to six in a row. They will return home to host Western Michigan at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Briner Sports Complex.