The Cardinals (2-3) got goals from Annie Aiello and Bailey Decker. Aiello connected on a penalty kick in the 18th minute and Decker scored following a rebound in the 51st minute.

 

Jenny Williams returned to the starting goalkeeper role for the Panthers (0-6-1) and finished with seven saves in her first action since Aug. 26 at Purdue.

 

Ashley Eck, Pam Melinauskas and Kaitlin Sullivan accounted for EIU's three shots on goal.

 

“We came out and our seniors put forth a great effort to lead by example,” EIU head coach Tim Nowak said. “I commend them for it and my respect for them grows daily. They compete every day to show the younger players what it takes at this level. We created some very good chances today, some of our best of the year. But we weren't sharp enough with our decisions to score. We're looking forward to next Friday (at Western Kentucky) already and having a chance to compete for a victory.”

 

Nowak said Rachel Hamilton, Eck and Sullivan had the Panthers' top scoring chances, all coming in the second half. Hamilton missed high over the crossbar from point blank range. The shots for Eck and Sullivan were fired directly at the Ball State goalkeeper.

 

The penalty kick opportunity was granted after Rebecca Holcomb tripped up an attacking BSU player from behind while she was dribbling toward the net along the left side of the field.

 

Sam Balek, Sarah Rusk and Hamilton each went the distance among the EIU field players.

The Panthers return to action next Friday for a 6 p.m. contest at Western Kentucky.