MUNCIE, Ind. - The Toledo women's soccer team made a strong second-half push vs. Ball State, but the Cardinals found the late winner to top the Rockets, 2-1 at Briner Sports Complex on Thursday.
 
The Rockets (3-5-6, 0-4-4 MAC) trailed 1-0 at halftime after a 27th-minute goal by the Cardinals (8-5-2, 5-3-1). Toledo then equalized in the 56th minute, but Ball State retook the lead in the 73rd minute and turned back late Rocket opportunities.
 
Shots were 11-5 in favor of Ball State, but 5-4 in a back-and-forth second half. Corner kicks were 4-3 in favor of the Cardinals.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH MARK BATMAN
"I'm disappointed for the group. We were so close today. We showed great fight and effort in the second half, and I thought we were going to get a second goal. Stats were dead even in the second half as well. If we keep fighting, good results will come. We'll regroup and get ready for UMass on Sunday."

ROCKET GOAL SUMMARY

• Morgan Spitler (5) – 56th minute

STAT LEADERS

• Morgan Spitler – 1 goal, 1 shot on goal
• Kiera Billis – 1 shot on goal

KEY MOMENTS

• 27' | Off of a pass in behind, Addie Chester made a move and scored from the center of the box for a 1-0 Ball State lead.
• 40' | Ball State got a header on goal off of a corner, but GK Agnes Stenlund leaped to keep the ball out.
• 56' | On a long ball over the top, Morgan Spitler got to the ball in traffic, entered the box and and finished in the bottom left corner to tie the match, 1-1.
• 61' | Hailee Maynard created space and had a shot, but the attempt went over the crossbar.
• 73' | Jess Fernau's shot from the top of the box deflected in off the crossbar to give Ball State a 2-1 lead.

UP NEXT
The Rockets head home to Paul Hotmer Field on Sunday, Oct. 19 for their first-ever meeting with UMass. The Rockets and Minutewomen will begin at 1:00 on ESPN+.