So far this season the Ball State University soccer team has handled everything thrown at them. En route to a 3-1-2 record, the Cardinals have contended with a daunting season-opening road trip, an hour-and-a-half lightning delay in their home opener and the challenge of beating a Big Ten foe on the road.
But before the season even began the Cardinals had already hurdled their largest obstacle - getting used to new head coach Michelle Salmon.
"It was difficult to get adjusted to a completely different coaching style," senior captain Amy Holst said. "It took a lot of hard work from all the players."
Another major difference for the team is to playing under a female. Last year's coach, Ron Rainey, is now coaching at the University of Iowa.
"Ron knew the ropes here at Ball State more," Amy Holst said. "He had been here longer so he knew more about this program. But Michelle has more personal experiences, so we know that she's already been there."
Outside the external adversity that has bombarded Ball State, the 2006 season has gotten off to a strong start. Salmon said she was counting on nothing less when she took over the program.
"I expected a lot of success when I got to Ball State," Salmon said. "We have a ton of talented soccer players. They've done a nice job of just playing well together."
While it's important for a first-year coach to earn the respect of the players on the field, Salmon said it's equally important to earn their trust off it.
"I think that in order to be successful you need a combination of both," Salmon said. "You need your players to buy in and believe in your system, and that means both on and off the field."
Another thing you need is seniors who are firm believers in the new coach. More times than not, seniors set the standard on their teams, and the Cardinals are no different.
"One of the things I respect about [Salmon] is the way she handles the other players on the team," senior captain Sarah Maxwell said. "These girls on the team are like my best friends, so I watch the way she treats them. And she treats everybody on this team very well."
Maxwell said that during the previous week, Salmon has changed her demeanor with the players.
As is customary, the coach started off the season trying to earn the players' respect. Now that the respect has been given, Maxwell said her coach is focusing more on building relationships with her players.
"This week has been the breaking point," Maxwell said. "She's really lightened up a lot. Instead of telling us everything we're doing wrong she encourages us more. She just cracks us up off the field. She's done a lot of team bonding drills in order to get close to us."
An added element to this year's test will be the expectations of the team. Last year, the Cardinals achieved more than many thought possible of them. This year, their opponents are bringing their best effort every time out they go out on the field.
"People didn't know Ball State had good soccer last year," Salmon said. "This year people know this is a talented team. So they face different things than they did last year."
Just another hurdle to conquer. But judging by the way the Cardinals have handled things thus far, the players shouldn't have a problem.
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