The women's soccer team will take on the Kent State Golden Flashes this afternoon at 4 in what will be the Mid-American Conference opener for both squads.
The Cardinals have posted a 3-1 record so far this season, including three-straight wins, beating Indiana State, Mercer and Southeastern Louisiana.
Kent State has won two-in-a-row, beating Fairfield and Canisius, after opening the season 0-2.
"This is going to be a tough game against a good team," Ball State head coach Ron Rainey said. "These teams know each other pretty well, and it's important for us to get off to a good start by making it very difficult for opponents who come to our field."
Last year, Kent State defeated the Cardinals 2-1 in thrilling fashion, when then-sophomore Lauren Caminati scored in the 107th minute in double overtime. The match ended the Cardinals season-opening seven-game winning streak.
The Golden Flashes finished the 2001 season with a record of 6-11 overall and 5-7 in the conference, but are now returning 15 letter winners and seven starters.
Rainey said the team is still mainly focusing on itself in practice, working on what it needs to do to improve.
"We still have to get better defensively," Rainey said. "We've been working hard on our runs offensively."
As far as this match being indicative of how the rest of conference play might go, Rainey said it is too early to tell.
"This early in the season, we're still trying to find out where everyone is going to play," Rainey said. "The intensity is so much greater now that our mental approach has to be a level up. The MAC season is going to be very tough, just like it always is."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
