The Ball State soccer team returned to the pitch for the Mid-American Conference semifinal match against Bowling Green on Thursday. Sammi Corcoran led the Cardinals with the only goal, while Bethany Moser produced eight saves on the match. Ball State and Bowling Green ended in a 1-1 draw, but BSU advanced to the MAC Championship after taking the penalty kicks 4-2.
The Cardinals are now 7-4-8 overall, while the Falcons end the season 9-5-5.
Abby Elgert recorded the first shot on goal of the match in the seventh minute, but the Bowling Green keeper was there to make the save.
The Falcons collected their first shot on goal at the 14-minute mark, but Moser made the save.
In the 18th minute, Corcoran made an outstanding play on a 50-50 ball. After she gained possession, she turned and blasted a shot from over 30 yards away. Her shot was buried into the top, right corner of the net and gave BSU a 1-0 lead.
The Falcons got on the board in the 56th minute on a header by Brynn Gardner. Lacee Bethea assisted on the goal with a cross to the far post.
The score was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation and forced the contest to go to two overtime periods. The Falcons put the only shot on net, but Moser made an outstanding save to keep the match level. In the second overtime, both squads produced a shot on goal each, but neither team was able to find the match winner.
Corcoran stepped up to take the first PK and blasted it into the back of the net. Kennedy White, of Bowling Green, matched with a goal to make it 1-1 after the first round of penalty kicks. Tiffani Torres came through in the clutch as she found the back of the net and gave BSU a 2-1 lead. The Falcons' Katie Cox hit the cross bar as BSU held onto a 2-1 lead after two rounds. Avery Fenchel was BSU's third PK taker and hit a low liner into the back of the net to give Ball State a 3-1 advantage. Maya Dean was the third to step up for BGSU. Dean took her shot and went low near post, but Moser showed her quick reflexes to make a spectacular save. The fourth PK taker was Jenna Dombrowski, and a goal would send the Cardinals to the MAC Championship. Dombrowski had ice in her veins and ripped it into the back of the net and locked up Ball State's spot into the championship game on Sunday.
Moser finished the match with eight saves and moved her season total to 78.
Ball State will face Buffalo in the MAC Championship on Sunday, Nov. 6. First touch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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