The field hockey team was able to earn a split of games on theroad over the weekend due to solid offensive and defensive play.Ball State (4-10, 4-3 Mid-American Conference) knocked off Miami,2-0, Friday before losing to Louisville, 4-2, on Saturday.
"The team played great on Friday," head coach Annette Paynesaid. "We had a couple of bumps on Saturday."
Against Miami (5-10, 0-7), the Cardinals played solid teamdefense that led to the season's first shutout for goalkeeper TracyBannister. The junior recorded five saves against Miami and addedeight against Louisville.
Bannister's season save total is now 61, just two shy of herpersonal-best set last year in 20 games. Her effort in the twogames earned her the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player ofthe Week.
The Cardinals dominated the offensive end Friday, outshootingthe RedHawks 21-9 for the game, including 13-2 in the second half.Ball State drew six penalty corners while Miami had five.
"As a whole, the offense was awesome," Payne said. "They hadsome fantastic opportunities."
Sophomore Carla Chiampi started the scoring for BSU in bothgames. The goals were her third and fourth of the year. Both cameunassisted off rebound shots in front of the net. The two goalsbring her season point total to nine, third-best on the team.
"It's great," Payne said of Chiampi's offensive boost. "Carla'splaying really well."
Tara Reed scored the other BSU goal against Miami. It was hersecond goal of the season, coming off a one-timer and assisted byChantelle Isaac.
In a battle between the Cardinals on Saturday, Louisville (8-8,6-1) came out on top, avenging it's only conference loss, whichcame at Ball State in the MAC opener. The 2-1 win was the first ofthe year for then 0-7 BSU.
After Chiampi made the score 1-0 early on, Louisville respondedby scoring three straight goals in a seven-minute span. The quickoffensive attack gave Louisville a 3-1 lead at the half.
Senior midfielder Holly Frantz pulled the Cards within one afternetting a goal on a penalty corner. Frantz was assisted on the playby Maggie Durbin.
Louisville's Kimberly Hughes scored the game's final goal with10 minutes remaining in the game, giving the Cardinals a 4-2victory.
"I just think a couple of things didn't go well," Paynesaid.
One of those things was the ability to limit Louisville ondefense. Ball State was outshot 20-5 in the contest and wasoutdrawn 14-4 in penalty corners.
Louisville now sits a half-game above Kent State for first placein the conference. Ball State remains in third place, two gamesback and in a spot Payne doesn't mind right now.
"I feel good," Payne said. "We're in good position. We havethree games left and we gotta play strong."
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