Bulls Drop Aggressive Battle to Ball State

Jennifer Mihok has team-high three shots on goal

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women’s soccer team fell to Ball State this afternoon in an aggressive conference match up at UB Stadium, with the Cardinals topping the Bulls, 1-0.

The first half was scoreless for both teams, as Ball State took the advantage in shots-on-goal 4-2. Defender Jennifer Mihok had both shots-on-goal for Buffalo in the first half. Ball State had a breakaway and a chance to go one up on the Bulls, but UB goalkeeper Amy Coron came out of the net to challenge the shooter and ultimately make a big save for Buffalo late in the first half.

Jennifer Mihok

Ball State scored the only goal of the game 11 minutes into the second half, capitalizing on a UB foul, to score the game-winning goal off a free kick pass to the front of the net. Buffalo had trouble getting past the Ball State defense, only getting off two shots in the second half.

“We came out and we played really well for two-thirds of the field, but we have to be a lot more precise and more dynamic in the final third if we’re going to find ways to win games,” said head coach Michael Thomas.

Nina Connell

Both teams were aggressive, as the game saw three yellow cards and one red card in the final 15 minutes of play. The Cardinals outshot the Bulls 14-5, with the backline of Nina Connell, Kristen Bailey, Angela Nicholas and Mihok working to slow down the Ball State offense for a complete 90 minutes. Coron finished the match with four saves in net.

The Bulls will hit the road next weekend for a pair of conference games in Michigan. The Bulls will take on Eastern Michigan on Friday, October 2 at 3 pm and then travel on to Central Michigan for a 1 pm match on Sunday, October 4.