MUNCIE, Ind. – The NIU women's soccer team (8-10-1, 5-6 MAC) dropped their opening round match to Ball State (11-6-3, 8-1-2 MAC) 2-1 in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Cardinals scored their two goals in the first half and the Huskies mounted a second-half comeback but were only able to score once in the second half.
 
"I'm extremely proud of this team and how they played all season," Head Coach John Ross said. "Today was a tough loss but we fought hard until the end and that's all we can ask for as a coaching staff."
 
The Huskies' goal was scored by senior midfielder Allie Ingham (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) as the ball deflected to her just at the 18-yard box and she ripped a volley past the Ball State keeper to make the score 2-1 with just over 17 minutes remaining in the game.
 
NIU controlled play for most of the second half, taking six shots and being awarded five corner kicks in the final 45 minutes where four of the corner kicks came in the last 15 minutes of the game. The Huskies were unable to capitalize on any other second half opportunity as the Cardinals were able to clear the ball away from danger.
 
"Allie's goal was a missile and it was crucial for us to get that goal when we did," Ross said. "We had a lot of other opportunities in there but we couldn't turn any of those into a golden opportunity to tie the game."
 
Ball State's first goal was scored by Lauren Roll in the 28^th minute as she beat an NIU defender one-on-one then scored near post past NIU keeper Amy Annala (Oswego, Ill./Oswego). Their second goal was credited to Julia Elvbo as her shot was deflected into the net off an NIU foot.
 
The NIU women's soccer season comes to an end as the Huskies improved from last season's record overall and in conference play. MAC postseason honors will be announced in the coming weeks in All-MAC, All-Freshmen and Academic All-MAC teams.