The field hockey team hopes to continue its unbeaten record in its home debut this weekend when the Cardinals (2-0) will match up against Indiana Friday and Southwest Missouri on Sunday.
The team heads into the contests boasting this week's MAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week.
Senior Afton Hess won the offensive award for her two goal, two assist performance against Radford and James Madison. Her goal against JMU broke a 1-1 tie in the first half and eventually won the game.
Senior Becky Weaver was named the defensive player of the week. She led a defense that held Radford to no goals and four shots. The defensive unit also kept James Madison, ranked No. 12 at the end of last season, to one goal.
"Two great players, two great honors," said head coach Annette Payne. "Afton created plays on the offensive line and finished (them). Becky organized our defense very well and had a good read of the defense."
Hess and Weaver will lead the charge against IU (2-0) and SW Missouri (1-0), two teams that will pose a challenge, Payne said.
Though the Cardinals will play the two teams differently, Payne said she has stressed consistency to her squad.
"We have to come out and play hard and stay consistent throughout both games and throughout the weekend," Payne said. "If you want to be a good, strong, successful team, that's how you have to play. You can't let down. You have to be consistent."
Ball State beat IU both times the teams played last season, outscoring the Hoosiers 4-0.
Though the schools are in the same state and have played five times since 2000, Payne doesn't call the match-up a rivalry. She said the Cardinals must treat IU like any opponent.
"The IU game is just as important as any other game," Payne said. "Every team we play this season is good and strong. We're going to treat (both opponents this weekend) as we do anybody else -- play them hard; play them smart."
Payne said she wants to see her team carry over the team cohesiveness of last weekend. The Cardinals played well together, she said, which was a big factor in the two victories.
"They played as a unit. They played as a team," Payne said. "Every game was won through determination and through heart. They played hard for 70 minutes. I look forward to them doing that again this weekend."
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
