Head coach Josh Rife led Ball State soaring into the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship game for just the third time in program history, but the winning streak came to an end against No. 1 seed Buffalo.
The Bulls started on the board with a goal in the 18th minute of the game by fourth-year midfielder Leah Wengender.
Ball State was unable to get a score on the board, but second-year forward Arianna Zumpano gave the Bulls another one in the 74th minute with an assist by second-year midfielder Kaya Schultz.
The physicality progressed as the Cardinals fell behind.
By the end of the game, five yellow cards were issued while 18 fouls were called against the Cardinals and 11 against the Bulls.
Rife struggled after the game with emotions for his team and the seniors who just experienced their last game.
“Give it a little bit of time and you will start to think back to very positive building blocks that you have in place," Rife said. "Hopefully, looking ahead, we will pick up where we left off."
Regardless of the loss the show must go on, “the focus will [eventually] shift, and recruiting goes in full swing as I am already looking at the calendar this weekend,” Rife concluded.
Contact Meghan Sawitzke with comments at meghan.sawitzke@bsu.edu or on Twitter @MSawitzkea.
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