Sophomore midfielder Elaina Musleh assisted on all three of Ball State’s first half goals on Friday, leading to Eastern’s fifth straight loss of the season to drop to 0-5.

The Panthers were again unable to find the back of the net, making it the fourth straight match without a goal for Eastern. The Panthers have not scored since junior forward Madison Carter’s first-half goal against Oakland in the season opener.

Eastern goalkeepers Kylie Morgan and Emily Hinton split time in net, with Morgan starting the first half and Hinton in the second. Morgan made seven saves and gave up all three of the match’s goals. Morgan becomes the first Eastern goalkeeper this season to start multiple matches. Hinton made four saves in the second half.

Ball State’s Maimee Morris opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a goal off a rebound off the top of the box. Musleh was credited with her first of three assists of the match. Morris had one goal and two assists last season for the Cardinals. The goal is Morris’s first of the season.

Ball State would score again 14 seconds later for its second goal when freshman forward Kelsey Wendlandt would score from the top of the box on an assist from Musleh. The goal is Wendlandt’s second of the season.

With halftime approaching, Ball State would add its third goal, when sophomore midfielder Erin Greeley would score from the right side of the box, with Musleh adding her third assist of the match. The goal is Greeley’s second of the season. Greeley only appeared in one match for the Cardinals last season.

Eastern would allow no second half goals, a first for the team this season. The three first half goals were the most allowed by Eastern all season.

Ball State improved to 3-1 on the year, recording its second shutout of the season.

The Cardinals outshot the Panthers 31-10. The 10 shots mark the most by the Panthers in any game this season. Red-shirt junior Lauren Hoppensteadt led Eastern with two shots on goal.

Ball State’s Brooke Dennis was credited with the win in goal, making it her second win of the season.

Eastern will return to action at 6:30 p.m. on Friday against Missouri on the road, then again at 10:30 a.m. Sunday against Loyola at Lakeside Field.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].