The Ball State Cardinals, the No. 6 seed in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, will face No. 3 seed Kent State on Saturday at 1 p.m. at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus, Ohio, ballstatesports.com reported. This matchup marks the opening round of the MAC Tournament, setting the stage for a winner-take-all contest with a semifinal berth on the line. The Cardinals enter the tournament fresh off a 2-0 loss to Buffalo on Sunday, concluding their regular season with a 7-6-5 overall record and a 4-3-4 mark in MAC play.
Clemons’ Goal Lifts Cardinals Past Chippewas
Despite the season-ending setback against the Bulls, Ball State secured a key victory on the road just days prior. On Oct. 29, the Cardinals traveled to Central Michigan and secured a 1-0 victory, a result that solidified their tournament seeding. Caiya Clemons scored her first collegiate goal in the 85th minute to win the game against Central Michigan. She buried her first collegiate goal, receiving a precise assist from Kaelyn Valleau to secure the win for the Cardinals.
History Repeats in Kent
The Cardinals and Golden Flashes have already faced each other once this season, with a familiar result. On Oct. 15, Kent State hosted Ball State, and the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw. Ball State and Kent State played to a 0-0 draw in Kent on Oct. 15. Kent State is the No. 3 seed in the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
Golden Flashes’ Offensive Prowess Led by Freshman Simon
Kent State’s 7-8-3 overall record and 6-4-1 conference mark might not jump off the page, but their performance metrics tell a different story. The Golden Flashes exceeded expectations this season, finishing fifth in the MAC preseason poll but securing the No. 3 seed by beating that prediction. Their strength lies in their offensive efficiency, ranking fourth in the conference in scoring offense (1.28) and third in shot accuracy (.473). Much of that offensive production comes from freshman forward Lila Simon, who is tied for second in the MAC with seven goals. More impressively, she leads the league with five game-winning goals, proving she thrives in pressure situations. Senior midfielder Samantha Miller complements her attack, tying for second in the MAC with five assists.
The Golden Flashes’ success is not just about offense; it’s also about their ability to protect their net. The goalkeeping duo of Leah Shaffer and Emma Klein has combined for 72 saves, anchoring a defense that ranks 10th in the MAC with a 1.556 goals-against average.
Pallante Anchors Ball State’s Defensive Wall
While Kent State boasts a formidable two-goalie system, Ball State relies on the steady and consistent performance of junior goalkeeper Kate Pallante. Pallante has been the backbone of the Cardinals’ defense this season, notching 64 saves in 18 games. Her performance places her sixth in the MAC for goalkeepers with an .800 save percentage. Pallante’s consistency is remarkable; she is tied for second in the conference with eight shutouts and averages 3.56 saves per game. Her durability is also a key asset, as she ranks second in the conference and 13th nationally in minutes played, logging 1,620 minutes between the posts.
The Road to the Semifinals
The winner of Saturday’s contest will immediately turn its attention to the MAC semifinals. The victor will face No. 2 seed UMass on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. Ball State plans to neutralize Kent State’s attack and rely on goalkeeper Kate Pallante.
