Ball State closed its regular season with a disappointing 1-0loss at Illinois State on Wednesday.
Coach Ron Rainey called the Redbirds a great opponent to end theseason, and said the team learned things that will help themheading into the Mid-American Conference Tournament, which getsunderway next Tuesday.
Poor weather conditions played a role in the game, Rainey said.It was a rainy day, and as a result, both teams preferred to keepthe ball out of their own backfield more, he said.
The Redbirds struck in the 55th minute when Joyce Kleinheinz'sheader finished a corner kick by Michelle Brumbaugh. Illinois Stateoutshot the Cardinals, 9-6, and finished with seven shots on goalto Ball State's two.
"Neither team had a ton of good opportunities," Rainey said."Both teams had maybe two good opportunities to score. A lot ofthat credit can go to how the defenses played."
Dee Nocero sat out her second game in a row with an aggravatedback that's given her problems throughout the season, and Raineysaid she remains day-to-day for Tuesday.
Ball State (10-3-6 overall, 5-2-5 MAC) now turns its attentionto the conference tournament, where it will face one of theMichigan schools -- Eastern, Central, or Western. The opponent willbe determined when EMU visits Miami today.
Coming into last weekend, the Cardinals were on a four-gamewinning streak. But with ties against Wright State and Akron lastFriday and Sunday, and yesterday's loss to the Redbirds, theCardinals must travel north instead of staying within the comfortsof their home field.
However, Rainey believes the team is fully confident headinginto the tournament.
"Any opponent we play in the tournament, we have confidence," hesaid. "We just have to see who our opponent is and put together acouple of good days of practice."
The MAC is so close from team to team, he said, that it doesn'tmatter who the opponent is.
"It's a very tight conference, and we know whoever we play isgoing to be a great opponent and we'll have to play our best to getresults."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
