The field hockey team looks to end a three-game losing streak this weekend in its final two home games.
The Cardinals first opportunity to end the skid comes today against a Miami team that is winless in the Mid-American Conference. Ball State beat the Redhawks (2-12 overall, 0-7 in the MAC) 1-0 Oct. 4 at Miami.
The Cardinals then face No. 11 Louisville on Saturday. Louisville is in second place in the MAC at 5-2, but one of those loses came to Ball State.
The team beat Louisville, then ranked No. 9, on the road Oct. 5, 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out.
To end the losing streak, head coach Jen Halliday said the team must be consistent throughout the game, something the team has strived for all season.
"We need to tighten up in a couple of different areas," Halliday said. "It's not that we're playing worse (during the streak), it's that we need to play better."
The team is coming off a double-overtime loss Tuesday to sub-.500 Ohio State. Despite the loss, Halliday said the team remains confident heading into the weekend.
"(The players') confidence isn't jilted that much," Halliday said. "(The loss) should have no affect this weekend. Our players are mad more than upset."
After this weekend, Ball State has two more games before the MAC tournament, at Kent State and at Ohio. Halliday is focused on winning a MAC championship, but realizes the next four games are key in preparing for the tournament.
"Everything we do in the season is preparation for the tournament," Halliday said. "The tournament is where you cut and paste everything together."
Ball State is third in the MAC at 3-3. Winning both games this weekend would put them in a tie for second with Louisville just two weeks before the MAC Championships are set to begin.
In order to pick up two victories this weekend, Halliday said her team needs to play with more intensity and play that way the entire game.
"We've gone in and out of intense moments this season," Halliday said. "We keep our intensity level up throughout the game. That's tough to ask for.
"That's what makes a championship team- focusing hard for 70 minutes with everyone on the same page."002,-Ñfield hockey 10.25DNEditorial002SORT-á+â-ä2AUDT
+â-äg+â-Ö
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
