Riding a three-game conference win streak, the field hockey teamhits the road this weekend looking to remain on top of theMid-American Conference. Ball State (3-7, 3-0 MAC) travels to KentState today for a 2 p.m. matchup before facing Ohio onSaturday.
After starting the season with six losses, the Cardinals haverebounded by winning three of their last four games. Head coachAnnette Payne said that the team learned a lot from the roughstart.
"I just think as a team we took a lot from the first part of theseason and learned from it," she said. "We've made some changes and[our recent success has] been a direct result."
Ball State faced many difficult teams during its opening sixgames. Two of those teams (No. 9 Michigan and No. 10 Northeastern)are currently ranked in the top 10 in the nation.
The grueling schedule did not worry Payne because of thebenefits it would produce during conference time.
"I have a great team," Payne said. "[The girls] have beenworking really hard."
The hard work and tough schedule have paid off recently as BSUis off to its best conference start in five years. The last timethe Cards started 3-0 in the MAC was in 1999, when they finished8-2 to share the regular season title.
Ball State will take its perfect conference record to Kent State(4-6, 1-2) today. The Golden Flashes are led by a pair of twinfreshmen, Kate and Amy McGowan.
Kate McGowan leads the MAC in several offensive categories,including shots (62), points (20) and goals (9). Amy McGowan hasone assist and three shots, but contributes more on the defenseend, helping the Golden Flashes record two shutouts this seasonfrom her midfield/back position.
The Cards will face one of the best offensive teams in the MACon Saturday. Ohio (3-10, 1-2) is either first or second in sevendifferent offensive categories. The Bobcats lead the conference inshots (154) and penalty corners (105), while ranking second inassists (20), goals (21) and points (62).
The problem for Ohio has been a lack of team defense. TheBobcats have allowed 219 shots, 42 of which were converted intogoals. Their 3.72 goals scored average allowed is worst in theMAC.
In order for the Cardinals to come away with two wins and remainundefeated in the conference, they must come ready to compete forthe two ever-important games.
"They are two really big games," Payne said. "They are both goodteams. We've got to really come out and play some good hockey."
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