Sunday, October 22
Muncie, Ind
2 p.m.
Ball State University
7-7-3, 5-2-3
1
vs
2
Bowling Green
9-5-2, 7-1-2
1
2
F
Bowling Green
1
1
2
Ball St.
1
0
1
Soccer Falls To Bowling Green In Final-Minute Stunner
October 22, 2023 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. - - Lightning is not supposed to strike twice, unfortunately, it did to the Ball State soccer team Sunday afternoon as Bowling Green scored with 27 seconds left on the clock to escape the Briner Sports Complex with a 2-1 victory.
It is the second consecutive match the Cardinals (7-7-3; 5-2-3 Mid-American Conference) have suffered heartbreak in the final minute, as NIU also stunned BSU in the 90th minute of Thursday's 1-0 setback in DeKalb.
"I hope today's result continues to light a spark and fuel our team to put together 90 minutes," head coach Josh Rife said. "Right now, we're going to postseason play and we have to find a way to score winners. So over time, however long it takes, are we committed to digging in and getting it done?"
While Ball State was able to register the first shot Sunday against the Falcons (9-5-2; 7-1-2 MAC), BGSU collected the match's first goal as Brynn Gardner tallied her first of a brace in the final second of the 18th minute.
Ball State countered, however, taking advantage of a Falcons' foul to even the score in the 30th minute. Junior defender Alex McPhee served a brilliant free kick into the penalty area, finding the head of sophomore forward Emily Roper who deposited the ball into the back of the net to tie the score in the 30th minute.
It was Roper's sixth goal of the season and McPhee's second assist of the year.
Unfortunately, despite nine saves and another solid effort from Ball State redshirt junior goalkeeper Bethany Moser, the Falcons were able to add the match-winner from Gardner right before the final horn.
Despite the loss, the Cardinals have secured a berth in the six-team MAC Women's Soccer Championship which starts Sunday, Oct. 29 with quarterfinal play for teams seeded 3-6. Ball State will be one of the four programs playing on the day, with an opponent and the site of the contest to be determined after Thursday's action.
"I still believe wholeheartedly in this group," Rife added. "It's frustrating to know we put so much work and so much effort into almost being there. But if you want to be a champion, you can't almost do it, you have to go do it."
The Cardinals close the regular season on Thursday by hosting Central Michigan at 3 p.m. at the Briner Sports Complex.
It is the second consecutive match the Cardinals (7-7-3; 5-2-3 Mid-American Conference) have suffered heartbreak in the final minute, as NIU also stunned BSU in the 90th minute of Thursday's 1-0 setback in DeKalb.
"I hope today's result continues to light a spark and fuel our team to put together 90 minutes," head coach Josh Rife said. "Right now, we're going to postseason play and we have to find a way to score winners. So over time, however long it takes, are we committed to digging in and getting it done?"
While Ball State was able to register the first shot Sunday against the Falcons (9-5-2; 7-1-2 MAC), BGSU collected the match's first goal as Brynn Gardner tallied her first of a brace in the final second of the 18th minute.
Ball State countered, however, taking advantage of a Falcons' foul to even the score in the 30th minute. Junior defender Alex McPhee served a brilliant free kick into the penalty area, finding the head of sophomore forward Emily Roper who deposited the ball into the back of the net to tie the score in the 30th minute.
It was Roper's sixth goal of the season and McPhee's second assist of the year.
Unfortunately, despite nine saves and another solid effort from Ball State redshirt junior goalkeeper Bethany Moser, the Falcons were able to add the match-winner from Gardner right before the final horn.
Despite the loss, the Cardinals have secured a berth in the six-team MAC Women's Soccer Championship which starts Sunday, Oct. 29 with quarterfinal play for teams seeded 3-6. Ball State will be one of the four programs playing on the day, with an opponent and the site of the contest to be determined after Thursday's action.
"I still believe wholeheartedly in this group," Rife added. "It's frustrating to know we put so much work and so much effort into almost being there. But if you want to be a champion, you can't almost do it, you have to go do it."
The Cardinals close the regular season on Thursday by hosting Central Michigan at 3 p.m. at the Briner Sports Complex.
Team Stats
BGSU
BSU
Goals
2
1
Shots
15
4
Shots on Goal
11
3
Saves
2
9
Corners
6
2
Fouls
10
13
Scoring Plays
Brynn Gardner (6)
Assisted By: Ellie Pool
GOAL by BGSU Gardner, Brynn Assist by Pool, Ellie.
17:59
Emily Roper (6)
Assisted By: Alex McPhee
GOAL by BSU Roper, Emily Assist by McPhee, Alex.
29:16
Brynn Gardner (6)
Assisted By: Ellie Pool , Emilie Gardner
GOAL by BGSU Gardner, Brynn Assist by Pool, Ellie and Gardner, Emilie.
89:32
Game Leaders
Players
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Guests: Mike Uremovich, Addie Chester, and Jeff Mitchell
Thursday, September 04
Women's Soccer // Win vs IU Indy
Tuesday, September 02
Soccer // Season Preview
Thursday, August 07