Tracy Bannister and Jessica Malone have split time this season as goalkeepers for Ball State field hockey. Both have struggled with allowing goals, combining for a 4.73 goals allowed average per game.
Bannister said it has been hard at times to stay positive and have confidence.
"I mean it's tough," she said. "But you just gotta take each game as it is, and just shake it off.
"That's why we're the goalies. You have to have a certain mentality and know that it's not your fault and just keep going and try to make it better next time."
The Cardinals (1-7, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) will play at 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Michigan. The Chippewas (5-3, 2-0 MAC) are the top offensive team in the conference, leading in shots, points, goals and assists.
Central Michigan has scored twice as many goals (22-11) and assists (20-9) as Ball State. The Chippewas also lead all MAC teams in goals allowed (17), while the Cardinals are last (38).
Head coach Annette Payne said she doesn't know who will start in goal for the Cards on Saturday.
"I think they are both doing a good job," Payne said. "They are both working hard."
Bannister has stared six games with a 5.25 goals allowed average and 31 saves.
Malone has started two games and has played in four. She has a 3.97 GAA and 23 saves.
"I think we have different styles of play," Bannister said. "So it's a matter of the defense getting used to who's in goal and what each of us do. There is just different ways we function."
Bannister said she and Malone are working on defensive tactics to help improve their game.
"Stepping up earlier and working on our communications with the defense so that they know what they're doing so that we can get into place," Bannister said.
Payne said the team is also focusing on offense.
"It's been our focus improving in some areas offensively," Payne said. "And obviously along with that, we need to improve in some areas defensively.
"We say this a lot, but just 70 minutes of solid hockey has been our goal. And hopefully when you do that you're successful on both ends of the turf."
Regardless of who starts in goal for the Cards, Bannister believes she and Malone compliment each other.
"We have different strengths and different weaknesses," she said. "That's why we're here. So that way when one of us isn't doing what we need to the other is there to step in and take care of it."
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