The story of the Ball State University soccer team parallels the story of leading scorer Sarah Schumacker.
The Cardinals had a rough start to the year, but have fought their way to a solid 5-1-2 record on the wings of a four-game winning streak.
During that winning steak, coach Michelle Salmon said Schumacker, sophomore defender, has stepped up to lead her team.
"Sarah came into the preseason and I don't think she knew what we wanted from her," Salmon said. "We sat down with her and tried to make it easy to expand her game. As the season's gone on, she's come into her own."
The first game of the year, the sophomore was slotted as a reserve. However, eight games into the season, Schumacker finds herself leading the team in scoring with three goals and an assist for seven points.
"I've just been building my confidence up on the field," Schumacker said. "It's been a lot of hardwork and staying consistent. Speed is definitely a good attribute right now for me. I've been able to use my speed to get in good position."
While Salmon gives Schumacker plenty of credit for her play this year, the sophomore is quick to send it back to her coach. After adjusting to the new coaching style, Schumacker says the new opportunities fit her game perfectly.
"It took a while to get used to her style of play," Schumacker said. "She's given us the opportunity to be more creative. She has a lot of flexibility, and hasn't held us back at all on the field. As long as you can get in the right place at the right time, you're going to get good passes on this team, and you'll get opportunities."
Salmon is not the only one Schumacker has won over this season. Her teammates also have full faith in her now. Fellow sophomore Emily Rein has formed a strong duo on the field with Schumacker, and she has full confidence in the defender.
"Sarah's stepped her game up and gave this team the confidence that we needed," Rein said. "With the rough start the team had, we needed somebody to step up the way she has."
Again, Schumacker credits her teammates for the bulk of her success. Soccer is a team sport, and as is true in any team sport, communication and chemistry is valued at a premium. Schumacker says she has found both with the Cardinals' players.
"I think a lot of my success has mostly been getting used to the other girls on the field and getting us all to click," Schumacker said. "We've been starting to make connections and get familiar with each other."
Being a sophomore, Schumacker still has two years of eligibility left. As she becomes more familiar with Rein, who is also a sophomore, the two should form a dynamic duo for years to come.
"I'm very excited," Rein said. "It says a lot for the future of our team to have her and so many other good, young players, playing so well right now. Our positions are really competitive, so it's not a done deal that we'll both have our positions together. But if we do still have or positions when we're seniors, we'll have the chance to do great things with it."
Salmon is also excited about the future opportunities the next couple of years present both Schumacker and the Cardinals' team. However, the coach says she is more concerned with the opportunities that are laid before them this season.
"Sarah has so much to bring to the table," Salmon said. "It's going to be great to have her for the next couple of years, but I'm even more excited to just be able to have Sarah right now."
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