Only into their fifth season in Division I competition, the BallState women's soccer team (2-0) is looking to develop rivalries.Their next competition, the Butler Bulldogs, has the potential toserve that role. But first, the Cardinals must beat theBulldogs.
The Bulldogs (1-1) have won each of their meetings with BallState in the past three seasons, one-goal victories every time.Butler shut down the Cardinals offense with a 1-0 win in bothteams' season openers last season.
"A lot of players know each other. That helps develop arivalry," coach Ron Rainey said. "Two very different styles ofplay, but it makes for one-goal games."
Eight starters and 18 letterwinners return this season forButler, but two of the top three Bulldog scorers from last seasonare gone due to graduation. But the Bulldogs have plenty ofreturning firepower to raise concern for the Cardinals. JuniorMeredith Buemi, who scored one of the two goals in the Bulldog's2-0 win over Xavier last weekend, returns after an 18-point seasonlast year, second best on the team.
Rainey called the Bulldogs a "tactically sound team that is ableto create chances both on top of the ball and when they don't havethe ball."
"They're an organized group up top, through the midfield," hesaid.
Butler opened their 2004 campaign with a 1-0 loss to Louisvilleon August 27th. Louisville's Lauren Podvin kicked the ball justbeyond the outstretched arms of sophomore goalkeeper Megan Cappa onthe right side of the net in the 21st minute. Cappa, who played in12 of 19 games last season, has taken over the starting role fromsenior Kate Sanders, who started in 18 of 19 games last year.
In their first two games, the Bulldogs were outshot a total of18 to 5 in shots on goal. Against Louisville, they didn't registerany shots on goal.
"We have to be very good with our offensive repetitions. Nomatter how they defend it, we're going to get some chances," Raineysaid.
Ball State is coming off two victories at the Central MichiganInvitational, including a come-from-behind victory againstDePaul.
"Our keys are going to be to build on this past weekend--beingbetter possessing the ball under pressure, creating more attackingchances by varying our attack, both by getting balls wide andattacking through the center of the field," he said.
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