The field hockey team begins its search for an 11th Mid-AmericanConference Tournament title today, but an all too familiar opponentstands in the way. No. 5 seed Ball State (4-13 overall; 4-6 MAC)will take on No. 4 seed Ohio today at noon in the first round ofthe 2004 MAC tournament.
The Cardinals haven't had much success against Ohio (6-14, 4-6MAC) in the past four years. The Bobcats have won the past 12meetings, dating back to 2000. Ball State has been knocked out ofthe last three MAC Tournaments by Ohio and has lost the past fivemeetings, all by a single goal.
The Bobcats recently defeated the Cards in a 3-2 win in overtimelast Saturday, spoiling the final regular season home game of theseason for the Cards.
Head coach Annette Payne said the team knows the impact oftoday's game against the familiar opponent.
"It's tournament time, so it's definitely a big game," Paynesaid. "The girls realize it's a big game. Whether we just playedthem or not, we need to take it game by game."
BSU also lost all three meetings against OU in 2003 by a singlegoal, including a 1-0 first round loss in the 2003 MACTournament.
Ohio also knocked off the Cards in overtime in the 2001 and 2002tournament meetings. The 2-1 first round win in 2002 came in doubleovertime, while the 2001 semifinal match went to the Bobcats inovertime, 1-0.
Despite the lack of success against the Bobcats, Payne said thatthe girls are not concerned with the losses, rather focused on thetask at hand.
"It's definitely a situation where this is seen as a big game,but you gotta take it game by game," she said.
One aspect that the Cards will look to exploit against OU is thehome field advantage. Ball State is the host site for the 22ndplaying of the tournament, as all games will be played at TurfField.
"It's great to be at home," Payne said. "It will be good for(the girls) to play at home on their turf."
The Cardinals own 10 MAC Tournament titles, the most by any teamin the conference. Kent State is second, having won sevenchampionships, while Ohio has claimed two.
In order for the Cards to win No. 11, the team will need to comeready to play each game and play some of its best hockey.
"There hasn't been a game (this year) they haven't come out andgiven it everything they possibly could," Payne said.
Winning the tournament is definitely a goal of the team, Paynesaid, and winning another championship would be great for thegirls.
"It would be fantastic for the team," she said. "What better ofa way to reward them and reward themselves."
The winner of the BSU-OU game will play top-seeded and defendingchampion Louisville Friday at noon. No. 2 Kent State will play at2:30 on Friday against the winner of No. 3 Central Michigan and No.6 Miami.
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
