Western Michigan entered Sunday's game against Ball State with aphysical mentality, sporting a team that had accumulated 10 yellowcards in seven games. The officials did not deal out any cautions,but the Cardinals (5-2-1, 3-0) handed the Broncos (2-5-1, 1-2) a1-0 loss.
Freshman Amy Holst, who scored the Cardinals' only goal of thematch, said the game fit her style of play.
"I have a hard time of getting in games unless I can hitpeople," she said. "It's good for me to play physical; it keeps mein the game."
The goal by Holst came off a free kick to the left of the box byjunior Kate Nadalin in the 17th minute.
Head coach Ron Rainey said he was happy to see his team get offto a quick start.
"It was a good set piece and a good finish," he said. "Theservice put Amy (Holst) in a position where she could finishit."
Rainey said he wanted to see his team raise its energy and scoreanother quick goal after the first strike.
Late in the game Western Michigan pressured the Cardinals' net,but senior Megan Swafford, who tallied five saves, held strong andrecorded her second shutout of the season.
Friday Ball State dominated Northern Illinois with physical playthroughout the game. The Cardinals fell down early but managed torally for a 2-1 victory. Rainey said he wanted his team to set aphysical tone in each game.
"We don't want to foul, but we want to play physically," hesaid. "It worked out in the first half that that's what it waslike.� We are always going to want to play physicallydefensively."
Ball State's second and game-winning goal came off the boot offreshman Amy Holst in the 67th minute.
Ball State was able to dominate Northern Illinois by possessingthe ball early in the match, Rainey said.
"I do think we took a step forward getting balls to feet,getting balls out wide and starting some attacks that way," hesaid.
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