Ball State University
Eastern Michigan
Soccer Falls in Overtime at Eastern Michigan, 2-1
September 28, 2014 | Soccer
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- The Ball State soccer team created plenty of chances Sunday, but an early goal from Jasmine Moses was the only score they could muster.
The Cardinals saw their five-game unbeaten streak come to an end with a 2-1, overtime loss at defending Mid-American Conference regular season champion Eastern Michigan.
Ball State lost for the first time since late August to fall 5-2-2 (1-1 MAC). Eastern Michigan improved to 6-2-1 (2-0 MAC).
"It's disappointing, but it's also a good measuring stick to see where we are compared to the top contenders in the MAC," Ball State coach Craig Roberts said. "I feel good about that. We're right there, we can hang with the best of them, and we deserved more than what we got today."
Moses gave Ball State the lead when she gathered a Gabby Veldman cross that was deflected by the Eastern Michigan keeper. It was the 11th career goal for Moses, moving her into a tie for seventh on the Cardinals' all-time list.
The seventh-minute goal was the only one of the Cardinals' 23 shots on the day that found the net. Eastern Michigan, meanwhile, registered 11 shots. Ball State also had seven corner-kick opportunities compared to zero for its opponent.
"I felt like we outplayed a very strong Eastern Michigan team in many areas," Roberts said. "But when you control the offensive play as much as we did, you have to score. We converted pretty early and then we just didn't capitalize on our other chances."
Seven of Eastern Michigan's 11 shots came off the foot of Bianca Rossi, and two of those found the net.
Rossi evened the score with her first goal in the 35th minute, and that was the last score either team managed in regulation. After a scoreless second half, they went to overtime.
Less than four minutes into the first overtime, Rossi struck again. In a two-on-one situation, she took a pass from Martha Stevens and connected from the top right portion of the box for the game-winner.
Sunday's game capped the opening weekend of MAC play. The Cardinals will now return home for a full weekend, hosting Central Michigan at 5 p.m. Friday and Toledo at 1 p.m. next Sunday.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State soccer, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateSoccer on Twitter.
