The field hockey team concluded its non-conference schedule on Tuesday, losing at home to No. 14 Ohio State, 6-1.
All seven non-conference opponents that Ball State faced have been nationally ranked or received votes.
"The teams that we're playing are all nationally ranked, and we're fighting hard just to keep our heads above the water," senior Chantelle Isaac-Smith said.
Head coach Annette Payne said the difficult schedule can be looked at as a positive.
"I think that you always have to put things in perspective," Payne said. "When you play teams like this you always have to take the good with the bad. In the end ... hopefully it makes you stronger."
Ohio State (6-2) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead midway through the first half. Lucy Clayton scored two unassisted goals and later on a goal assisted by Saskia Mueller and Yesenia Luces.
"We gave up corners against a team that has a good corner unit," Payne said. "And I think that was the turning point. Other than that, I think that we played a good game."
The Cardinals scored their lone goal with no time remaining in the first half as a penalty corner was awarded to the Cards before time expired. Carla Chiampi capitalized by putting home her first goal of the season on an assist from Maggie Durbin.
Ohio State wasted little time adding to its lead in the second half as Clayton scored her third goal of the game. The hat-trick gives Clayton a team-leading eight goals this season.
"I think that we just didn't play our game," sophomore Lauren Cruz said. "In previous games we've proven that we would have put up a better fight than what we did.
"We didn't communicate as well as other games. The intensity maybe wasn't there."
Tracy Bannister allowed three goals in the first half before being replaced by Jessie Malone. Bannister recorded five saves in 18 minutes of action, while Malone notched seven saves in 51 minutes.
The Cards begin Mid-American Conference play at 3 p.m. on Friday against Ohio.
"We're definitely gonna come out on Friday knowing we're gonna come out on top," Isaac-Smith said. "We need to keep a positive focus and just be ready for what's ahead."
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
