Soccer loses heartbreaker to Ball State in overtime, 2-1
The Chippewas path to the postseason got a bit more difficult after a 2-1 overtime loss to Ball State on Thursday night at the CMU Soccer Complex.
With the regular season nearing an end and the MAC Tournament in sight, each remaining game's importance is becoming clear.
The loss drops CMU (6-11, 4-5) to an eighth-place tie in the MAC with Eastern Michigan while Ball State (10-3-2, 6-2-1) remains in second place. Only the top eight teams in the conference will advance to the MAC tournament.
“All the things we want to play for are there,” CMU coach Peter McGahey said. “The points are still on the table. The games are getting more and more critical”.
Close Shots and Reversed Call
Ball State was credited with the first six shots of the game. The Cardinals had a quality scoring opportunity on their sixth shot when a lob pass found Tatiana Mason who sent the ball just wide of the net in the 15th minute.
The Chippewas thought they had taken the lead in the 15th minute but an offside was eventually called after referees conferred. An initial shot was deflected by Ball State goalkeeper Tristin Stuteville and began rolling slowly toward the goal line. Lexi Pelafas rushed in and tipped the ball into the net, receiving the offside call.
Ball State freshman Jenna Dombroski would go on to notch the first goal of the game, taking a pass from Mason and tapping it by CMU goalkeeper Morgan Britain in the 23rd minute.
The Chippewas would be handed a tough break in the 27th minute when a powerful header by Shannon Magnan bounced off the post. Marie Bringards fired a followup shot that was blocked as the Cardinals created traffic in front of the net.
Pelafas would snap Ball State’s three-game shutout streak in the 39th minute on a rocket of a shot from 20-yards out. The strike was Pelafas 9th of the season and places her second in the MAC for goals scored.
A scary moment occurred near the end of the half when Britain and Maria Kaschalk collided while chasing a loose ball. Britain remained on the ground for a few moments but would return for the second half.
The Cardinals managed the first four shots of the second half but Britain wasn’t needed as every shot drifted wide or was blocked. In the 79th minute, the Chippewas looked to capitalize on a dangerous cross in front of the net but the Cardinals were able to clear the ball.
Overtime
With the game tied at the end of regulation, ten minutes were put on the clock and sudden death overtime ensued.
A cross in the 94 minutes resulted in Ball State launching a barrage of shots, but the Chippewas escaped unscathed as they blocked each attempt. The Chippewas sense of relief wouldn’t last long. Early in the 95th minute, Mason scored a goal off a rebound that sent Ball State home victorious.
Stats
Ball State heavily outshot the CMU. The Cardinals got off 22 shots with 10 on goal compared to the Chippewas 8 shots with 4 on goal. 16 fouls were called in the match, 11 were on the Cardinals. Pelafas was issued the only yellow card of the game.
Up next
The Chippewas will host Miami (Ohio) at the Central Michigan Soccer Complex at 1 p.m. in their final home game of the season.
