A teamwork oriented defensive strategy employed last weekend by the Ball State University field hockey team worked well. The Cardinals allowed just one goal in two games.
"It was mainly a game of having each others' back," senior goalkeeper Tracy Bannister said. "That was the goal; to look out for each other. So if someone stepped up, we were making smart risks. If you made a risk and you blew it, someone was there to cover for you."
The Cardinals (3-12, 2-6 Mid-American Conference) will look to use similar defensive tactics against Kent State. The final home game starts at 3 p.m. today at BSU Turf Field.
Kent State (6-12, 6-2 MAC) enters play with the top conference record. The Golden Flashes beat Ball State 3-2 in overtime earlier this season.
"I think the key to [today] is ball possession and doing what we know works," coach Annette Payne said. "Ball possession is really important for us. When we do that we do a lot of things well with the ball, both offensively and defensively."
The key to stop Kent State will be to prevent the ball from getting near the goal, Bannister said.
"We're going to try to stop the transfer early," she said. "Not even letting them get inside the circle is where we're trying to stop them."
Ball State's defense meshed well with some offensive firepower last weekend for a 6-0 victory over Central Michigan. Bannister stopped seven shots and earned her second shutout of the year.
The Cardinals were unable to muster a goal on Sunday against Miami in a 1-0 loss. Katie Kloeckener took a game-high seven shots in the game.
"Thing didn't fall our way," Kloeckener said. "We didn't finish like we should have."
Although the offense failed to score against Miami, Bannister made nine saves and allowed just one goal. She said the defensive mentality of taking smart risks will likely be used again today as well as in the future.
"I think that's key that they're gonna have to carry on beyond this year to every year after that," Bannister said. "Making sure you never forget your wingman is pretty much the mentality you have to have now."
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