BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Ball State soccer team tallied its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season Sunday afternoon as the Cardinals downed Buffalo 1-0 at UB Stadium. The victory improves the Cardinals to 3-6-0 overall and 1-1-0 in MAC play while Buffalo falls to 1-8-1 overall and 0-1-1 in conference action.
          
 “It was good to pick up a conference win today,” head coach Michael Lovett said. “I challenged our team at halftime and we responded in the second half with great passion. We showed a lot maturity and heart to win this game today because it was a tough battle all game long from Buffalo.”
           
Ball State came out in the first half and controlled the tempo as it held an 11-3 advantage in shots in the opening frame. Junior forward Missy Gordon (Carmel, Ind./Marshall) was the catalyst early as she tallied three shots in the first 10 minutes of action and four shots total in the first half.
           
The Cardinals came out of halftime and scored the game’s lone goal in the 57th minute as they received a free kick from 30 yards out. Senior midfielder Megan Ridley (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) took the free kick and sent the ball into the top of the box where junior forward Jacki Eft (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) was able to flick it past UB goalkeeper Amy Coron.

Freshman defender Brigit Reder (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) pounced on the loose ball behind Coron and deposited it into the back of the net for her first career goal. Reder’s goal marks the third true freshman for the Cardinals to score this season and the ninth Cardinal overall to record a goal this year.
           
Freshman goalkeeper Nicole Wood (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) notched her first career shutout and third win of the season as she tallied three saves. Coron was charged with the loss as she allowed one goal while making four saves.
           
The Cardinals will open the home portion of the Mid-American Conference schedule next weekend as they play host to Bowling Green Friday at 4 p.m. at the BSU Soccer Field. Ball State will also host Toledo Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.