By the time the Ball State University soccer game at Miami University was complete Thursday, the result was irrelevant.
The Cardinals (12-5-1, 9-1-1 Mid-American Conference) won their second consecutive MAC regular season championship as they defeated Miami (6-9-3, 4-6-1 MAC) 2-1 in overtime.
"We played really well," coach Michelle Salmon said. "Some of the things we did were some of the best soccer we've played this season."
Even if Ball State had lost, it still would have won the MAC championship as the University of Toledo (13-5-1, 9-2 MAC) lost to Bowling Green State University (9-9-1, 6-5-0 MAC) 2-1 Thursday.
The team got an update, though not the final score, about the Toledo game at halftime, Salmon said.
The championship is the second in the program's nine year history. Ball State's first conference championship was last year, in Salmon's first year as the Cardinals' coach.
"I've been very fortunate," Salmon said. "I have a great team, great assistants and an athletic department that supports me."
Ball State secured the victory against Miami and avenged last year's MAC tournament loss with a goal about five minutes into overtime. Freshman Kristina Anderson passed the ball to junior Sarah Schumacker who was alone in the box for her fifth goal of the season.
"It was definitely exciting," Schumacker said. "It was one of the best moments of my life."
Though it was not the prettiest goal of her life, it was exciting because of the championship, the proximity to her hometown and her friends and family at the game, the forward from Hamilton, Ohio said.
Salmon said the team was passing too much in regulation. She told the team that a scrappy goal would likely be needed to win the game, she said. Schumacker's goal was scrappy and in her typical fashion, Salmon said.
"Schu just simply out worked the other players," Salmon said. "She fought to get out in front and she got the ball."
Schumacker said she felt added pressure to score a goal and get the win for Ball State because the team's other starting forwards, junior Emily Rein and senior Sarah Leibel were out of the game because of injury.
Salmon said the team's medical staff will reevaluate Rein and Leibel today. Salmon said she hopes to have both players in Sunday's first MAC tournament game.
Ball State will play Miami again in the first round of the tournament Sunday. Last season Ball State clinched the MAC championship against Miami and lost to the RedHawks in the first round of the MAC tournament.
However, Salmon and Schumacker said last year has no affect on their thoughts entering the game.
"This is a whole new team," Salmon said.
Ball State will play host to Miami at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Ball State Soccer Field. Salmon said she wants fans to wear red to the game.
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