If the Ball State University soccer team had any doubters going into this weekend's double-header against Bowling Green University and the University of Toledo, they've been silenced.
The Cardinals sliced up their weekend competition on the road, earning 2-0 and 2-1 victories respectively.
"I thought the girls did a tremendous job throughout the weekend," coach Michelle Salmon said. "Bowling Green and Toledo are two of the top teams in this conference. For us to come away this weekend with two wins is something that needed to be done, and it's a very good accomplishment."
Ball State is now 9-1-2 on the year, and the team finds itself in the midst of an eight-game winning streak.
Throughout the Cardinals' hot streak, the one consistency has been the play of its defense, and it continued this weekend.
"I think the entire team playing all over the field has played great defense," senior Sarah Maxwell said. "The four defenders that you see are not the only ones putting on defensive pressure. The forwards putting pressure on the ball with their defense changes everything because it allows our defense to pressure at the half line instead of inside our 18 [yard box]."
As hot as the team has been the last eight games, sophomore Emily Rein has played just as well.
Rein scored two of the Cardinals' four goals this weekend, leading Ball State offensively.
However, Rein said her high level of play only reflects the high playing level of her team.
"Everything I do is a result of the team," Rein said. "If the team's hot, it makes me look like I'm hot. But it really just comes from them mostly."
Also having a big weekend for the Cardinals was sophomore midfielder Katelyn Alexander. Alexander scored three points on the weekend, notching a goal and an assist.
Alexander suffered a minor injury at the end of the Cardinals' match against Toledo. However, her contributions did not go unnoticed by her coach.
"I would describe Katelyn as a player who flies under the radar," Salmon said. "She's a player who does all the little things. She's got tremendous distribution on the ball. She has great vision of the game defensively. She's competitive and I tease her all the time that she is her toughest critic in that she hates to lose and hates mistakes. But that's what makes Katelyn great."
With the wins weekend, the Cardinals remain undefeated during their first four games in conference play this season.
Ball State will take on Central Michigan University Friday in a match against the team that was picked to finish atop the Mid-American Conference. Maxwell said her team's ready for the challenge.
"I think this game is huge, and I'm already looking forward to it," Maxwell said. "The second I stepped off the field, I think we're all looking forward to Central Michigan. Just know they got ranked No. 1 in the conference. That completely puts a target on their back. We're coming off a road weekend, and we're 4-0 so far in the MAC, so I think the momentum is in our favor."
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