The field hockey team continues its rigorous non-conferenceschedule this weekend with two games against ranked opponents.
The first National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll of theseason came out Tuesday, with Ball State (3-1) sitting at No. 21.The Cardinals will face No. 19 Northwestern (2-1) Saturday and No.22 Delaware (3-1) Sunday, both in Evanston, Ill.
Though head coach Annette Payne said the ranking won't affecther team's play, she said it is nice to receive therecognition.
"It's encouraging," Payne said. "There's a lot of tough teamsthis year. It's great that we're getting votes. You can payattention to (the polls), but you can't pay a whole lot ofattention."
For now, Payne is making sure her team's focus is where itshould be -- on its upcoming games. She said the nationally-rankedfoes will pose a formidable challenge.
"We have two very tough opponents," Payne said. "We have ourhands full this weekend. We're going to have to work hard this weekin practice and polish up a couple of things."
The Cardinals beat Northwestern 2-1 at home early in the seasonlast year. The Wildcats are one of four Big Ten schools Ball Statewill face this season. Indiana, Iowa and Ohio State are theothers.
After this weekend, the team has one more weekend ofnon-conference play before opening Mid-American Conference play atMiami. Payne said playing a tough non-conference schedule toughensthem for their conference schedule.
"The great thing about your non-conference schedule is itprepares you for the conference," Payne said. "It allows you to seewhere you are. Non-conference is also always good because it'scompetition you don't normally play."
Payne said the biggest difference between MAC opponents andthose outside the conference is the familiarity of the teams. BallState plays each MAC school twice a year, so the teams get to knoweach other very well, Payne said.
But the beginning of the season allows the Cardinals to facesome new teams that offer different challenges and bring a newstyle of play, Payne said.
"It's exciting to play a team we haven't played in a while,"Payne said. "I look at is as something that's good for theteam."
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