Following a disappointing weekend of two conference losses, thefield hockey team looks to right its ship today at Miami. BallState will face off against the RedHawks at 3 p.m. before travelingto Louisville on Saturday for a battle with the Mid-AmericanConference co-leading Cardinals.
Since dropping two games last weekend and losing their firstplace lead, Ball State has been practicing on things that will helpit prepare for two huge conference games.
"It's gone well," head coach Annette Payne said. "I'd like tosee us take a couple things from practice and put them on thefield."
Miami (5-8, 0-5 MAC) recently ended a five-game losing streakafter starting the year 4-3. The RedHawks have lost all five oftheir conference games as the offense has been virtuallynon-existent. Miami has not scored more than two goals in any ofthe five and has been shutout twice.
The RedHawks have also allowed struggled on the defensive end,giving up an average of nearly six shots per game more than theyattempt. This has put pressure on Miami goalkeeper Kerri Orr. Thesenior has handled the added number of shots fairly well, recording129 saves, second-most in the MAC. Orr has also notched fourshutouts, two better than any other goalkeeper in theconference.
Louisville (6-8, 4-1) enters play this weekend on a four-gameconference win streak. The Cardinals are tied for first in the MACwith Kent State, as Ball State sits one game back in third.
Louisville's only MAC loss came at BSU in a 2-1 battle. BallState was able to maintain the offensive firepower of Louisville,which leads the conference in goals (35) and assists (28).
Though Miami has dropped five straight conference matches andLouisville is first in the MAC, Payne said the team does not wantto overlook the RedHawks.
"Both games are of equal importance," Payne said. "We definitelydon't want to overlook anybody. We just have to take both gamesequally."
The time spent working in practice combined with solid play thatthe team has shown in the conference season should allow BSU tohave a good chance at winning a pair of games and remaining in thehunt for a MAC championship.
"The girls need to come out and play hard and continue to playthe way they've been playing," Payne said.
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