In the 2006 season the University of Louisville handed Ball State University its worst defeat of the year, winning 9-0. However, coach Annette Payne does not expect that result to play a role when Ball State plays host to No. 14 Louisville 3 p.m. today at BSU Turf Field.
"This is 2007," Payne said. "That was last season."
Ball State is coming off an opening weekend where it beat Villanova University on the road in the first meeting ever between the two teams. The Cardinals also lost to La Salle University 3-0, a game junior forward Casey Hunsicker said taught the team an important lesson.
"We need to come out fast right away," Hunsicker said. "We don't have time to screw around."
Hunsicker also said the team's upset of Villanova last Saturday gives the Cardinals renewed confidence heading into another matchup as the underdog.
"The Villanova game pumped us up and gave us confidence," Hunsicker said. "And after we lost to La Salle, now we want it even more."
MacGillivary agreed with her teammate and said more games like the team's showing against Villanova would lead to a successful campaign.
"It was a great season opener," MacGillivary said. "It set the pace for the season."
Payne said all the pieces are in place for the team to knock off Louisville, who lost to two ranked teams last weekend at the Champions Invitational Tournament at Michigan State University.
"We have the tools it's gonna take," Payne said. "It's already there. We have great leadership and accountability on this team."
Payne said getting the chance to host a nationally ranked team is great for the program.
"It's an awesome opportunity," she said. "This team is in an awesome position, and we need to come ready to compete."
Sophomore forward Brooke MacGillivary, who scored the winning goal against Villanova, said the key to victory is to stick to their game plan.
"We just need to play our game," MacGillivary said. "On Sunday [against La Salle], we weren't playing our game."
Hunsicker said part of the team's game plan is to find good shooters. She said the team has more offensive options than they had last year.
"The major thing we have is that we've all become great shooters," Hunsicker said. "We've practiced shooting much more than we have before."
MacGillivary said the team's sophomore goalkeeper Tiffany Shifflett would play a major role in the game.
"She's been doing very well," MacGillivary said. "The whole team's proud of her. I'm sure she'll play well this weekend."
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