First-Half Own Goal Lifts Ball State Past Falcons, 1-0

Saturday, October 10

Muncie, Ind.

1 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

6-2-4, 2-1-3

Ball State

5-5-3, 2-2-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Bowling Green	0	0	0
Ball St.	1	0	1

Jayna Searles at Ball State | Oct. 10, 2026

Photo by: Bobby Ellis, Ball State Athletics

October 10, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Support BGSU WSOC

By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

MUNCIE, Ind. – A first-half own goal proved to be the difference on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 10), as the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team fell by a 1-0 score to Ball State University, in Mid-American Conference action at the Briner Sports Complex.

The loss snapped several impressive streaks for the Falcons (6-2-4, 2-1-3 MAC). BGSU fell for the first time in conference play this season, and the setback snapped an eight-match MAC unbeaten streak. BG had not lost to a MAC team in the regular season in nearly a year, since last Oct. 19 (also a 1-0 loss to BSU).

Additionally, Saturday marked the Falcons' first loss in a true road match since Nov. 3, 2024. BGSU had been unbeaten in the previous 14 road contests (8-0-6).

The Cardinals (5-5-3, 2-2-2 MAC) took the lead in the 11th minute of play on an own goal, as a Ball State cross deflected off of a BG player and went into the net.

Five minutes into the second half, the Cards looked to double the lead on a counterattack. BSU's Kaelyn Valleau received a nifty through ball from a teammate that put her a step behind the defense, but BGSU goalkeeper Payton O'Malley came off of her line and made a great save on Valleau's shot to keep it a 1-0 game.

Midway through the second half, a shot by Emme Butera was blocked by a Ball State defender just outside the 18-yard box, but a handball was called on the play. Butera took the ensuing free kick, and saw her hard shot ring off the crossbar.

BGSU had advantages of 10-7 in total shot attempts and 5-4 in shots on goal. O'Malley made four saves for the Falcons, while Kate Pallante had five stops for the Cardinals.

NOTE OF THE DAY
• As mentioned, the Falcons saw a 14-match road unbeaten streak snapped. BGSU had been unbeaten in true road matches (8-0-6) since a 1-0 setback at Ohio in the MAC Tournament's quarterfinal round on Nov. 3, 2024.

ALSO NOTEWORTHY
• BGSU fell for the first time in MAC play this season, dropping to 2-1-3 in the league. Saturday's setback snapped an eight-match MAC regular-season unbeaten streak.
• And, BGSU's overall unbeaten streak came to an end at seven matches, tied for the fourth longest in school history. The Falcons had been 4-0-3 since a 1-0 loss to Michigan on Aug. 30.
• BGSU is 6-2-10 in the last 18 MAC regular-season matches, dating to the start of the 2025 season. Both losses have come to Ball State by identical 1-0 scores.

UP NEXT
• The Falcons are back at Cochrane Stadium Thursday evening (Oct. 15), taking on arch-rival Toledo. That match will begin at 7:00 p.m., and – as is the case with all home BGSU action – admission is free.
• Then, the Orange and Brown will return to the road to face Kent State three days later (Sunday, Oct. 18), with start time set for 1:00 p.m.

REMAINING REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE (all times Eastern and p.m.)
Thu., Oct. 15 – TOLEDO, 7:00
Sun., Oct. 18 – at Kent State, 1:00
Sat., Oct. 24 – BUFFALO, 1:00
Thu., Oct. 29 – at Miami, 7:00
Sun., Nov. 1 – OHIO, 1:00

FOR MORE INFORMATION...
• For more information on the women's soccer program, follow the Falcons on Twitter/X (@BGSU_Athletics and @BGSU_WSoccer) and Instagram (bgsu_wsoccer), as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.