The Ball State field hockey team returns to action on Saturday, as the Cardinals will host their first home game of the season against Northwestern. The team will then travel to Columbus, Ohio on Sunday to battle the Ohio State Buckeyes.
"This weekend is definitely important," coach Annette Payne said. "I think that we need to come out and play strong."
Northwestern enters Saturday's match up with a 4-3 record, with all three loses coming in the last three games.
The Cardinals did not play last weekend, which was the team's only time off in the schedule this season. This break in action came at a good time for BSU (0-4) ,which is still looking for its first win. The team used the extra practice time to work on some of its weaknesses.
"The time allowed us to work on some key things -- things that we want to see happen on the field," Payne said.
The Cards last game was a tough 3-2 overtime loss to Southwest Missouri State. Payne believes that this experience will help the young squad.
"I think that they took that it's important to play strong for two halves and to play as a team," she said.
The Cards lack of early success can likely be attributed to the disparity between their number of shots compared to their opponents. BSU has only attempted half the number of shots as its opponents (74-37). The Cards' opponents' shots on goal percentage is also better, 53 percent to 40.
"That's definitely one component that we're working on," Payne said.
This weekend's games are the last two non-conference games of the season. The team will start its first four Mid-American Conference games, all at home, on Sept. 24.
"Conference is huge," Payne said. "There is going to be some big games coming up.
"It's definitely a whole new ball game."
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