Found the outside pass. Takes the shot across the box through defenders and past the goalkeeper.
Rolling towards the goal line and fans start to cheer, but cleared by a Buffalo defender at the last second.
First-year forward Delany Caldwell attempted to even the playing field in the 61st minute but was unable to get enough force behind her ball.
Caldwell redeemed herself in the 79th minute to tie the game with the assist coming from third-year defender Abby Elgert.
“I was a little disappointed not to get the win,” Elgert said.
After their game against Kent State, third-year midfielder Avery Fenchel was unable to play due to her red card.
"It is hard not to have the top number two goal scorer [in] the conference not on the field, but we still have confidence," head coach Josh Rife said.
Before the whistle to start the game, Ball State prepared by listening to music, going for walks, talking and even watching Premier League soccer. Elgert said she takes time to watch soccer before her games as a way to get into the mindset while learning from some of Manchester City’s strategies.
Elgert often drinks a Red Bull before the game while Caldwell enjoys waffles. However, the preparation starts long before the day of an event. Elgert said she is sure to eat a lot of carbs in the days leading up to a game to ensure she has enough energy.
Both goals for Ball State were scored by first-year players, Caldwell and forward Emily Roper. Roper scored in the 18-minute with an assist from fifth-year defender Lexy Smith.
Buffalo’s second-year midfielder Andrea Judasz scored in the 37th minute with an assist from second-year forward Jasmine Guerber, who also scored their second goal. Their second goal was scored in the 50th minute with an assist from fourth-year midfielder Leah Wengender.
Buffalo and Ball State remain the first and second seeds in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Both teams have one more game before the tournament in hopes of moving up in their ranking.
The Cardinals head out on the road to play Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, Oct. 27 at 4 pm.
“[We] gotta go take care of business," Rife said.
Contact Meghan Sawitzke with comments at meghan.sawitzke@bsu.edu or on Twitter @MSawitzke.
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