MUNCIE, Ind. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team went on the road in Mid-American Conference play, upsetting first place Ball State, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon.
Both goals came in the second half, with
Jenna Blackburn and
Reagan Wisser both finding the back of the net. The Cardinals had scored 17 goals in their last four games but were held off the scoreboard thanks to tenacious effort by the WMU back line, the ability to hold possession and three saves by
Hannah Sargent.
"Today was vitally important and a really impressive performance from our players," said head coach
Lewis Robinson. "Ball State is a very good team and really well organized and coached. I felt our girls matched them in all areas today and had the edge in our sharpness in the final third, which has been missing the last couple of games."
After a scoreless first half, the second half heated up quickly when red cards were issued to WMU's
Mira Pierre-Webster and Ball State's Grace Alsop. With both teams down to 10 players, the field opened up.
In the 65th minute the Broncos had a throw in deep in the Ball State defensive third, the ball came to Blackburn in the box near the left goal line. Blackburn received the ball with her back to goal, spun between two defenders and kicked the ball under the cross bar and into the roof of the net for her third goal of the season.
The Broncos added to their lead in the 73rd minute when
Bria Telemaque served a ball into the box from the right and Wisser headed it into the goal for her team-leading fifth goal of the season. Telemaque picked up her second assist of the season on the goal.
"The character to bounce back from Thursday's disappointment was evident and something we are really proud of," added Robinson. "We know at our best we are a difficult match for anyone in the conference and will get back to work this week to continue improving."
Western Michigan heads back on the road, traveling to Miami on Thursday to take on the RedHawks at 4 p.m. WMU then returns home to host Eastern Michigan on Sunday at 1 p.m. Prior to kickoff against the Eagles the Broncos will honor their senior class.
