With nine of the 11 starters returning, the field hockey team will look to improve on a 4-14 record.
Ball State University returns its three top scorers from a year ago. Junior Lindsay Quay led the team with seven goals and 18 points, and she was an All-Mid-American Conference First Team selection. Fifth-year senior Chantelle Isaac returns after leading the team in assists (7) and finishing second in points (17), as well as being on the All-MAC First Team. Junior Carla Chiampi was the team's third leading scorer, with five goals and 11 points, and she was selected to the All-MAC Second Team.
Another key returnee is goalkeeper Tracy Bannister. In 15 games, the senior recorded 91 saves and an average of 2.35 goals allowed.
Head coach Annette Payne said the team began practicing during the second week of August.
"We're doing well," she said. "We're looking good and working hard. They definitely are a strong group of individuals who have worked tremendously hard."
This season, Payne enters her third year as field hockey coach. Her career record at Ball State is 12-26, with a 9-11 conference mark. Payne will again be joined by assistant coach Liz Sanders, a 2001 graduate of James Madison.
The Cardinals lost just two players from their 2004 roster: Holly Frantz and Jen Strodel. Frantz was fourth on the team in scoring (10 points), while Strodel was fifth in scoring (8 points) and was an All-MAC First Team selection.
The field hockey team was very streaky in 2004. To start the season, the Cardinals lost their first six games, then lost their final five. But in between, Ball State had its first three MAC victories.
The Cards were competitive in many games last year, but they often ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard. The Cards lost ten of their 14 losses by just one goal.
"A lot of things from last year [are things] we're taking with us to this year," Payne said. "We like to learn and build on those things."
Payne said the team has many goals set -- whether they're long-term goals or daily goals.
"Our goals started a while ago," she said. "The biggest thing is goals are motivation. Goals are what you work harder for."
Ball State starts the season on Aug. 27 at William and Mary.
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