Ball State University's field hockey team didn't come out on top Saturday, but the team said they believed the result marks major progress in their final non-conference game before the Mid-American Conference season begins.
No. 19 Indiana University defeated Ball State 2-0
"Today was a turning point," forward Brooke MacGillivary said. "We all had the right idea."
Indiana spent much of the 2-0 win in Ball State's zone, out-shooting the Cardinals 22-9.
Goalkeeper Tiffany Shifflett made 10 saves, increasing her conference-leading total to 68 this season. Shifflett is on pace make 204 saves and break Angela Dello Russo's school record of 187 saves in a single season.
"The defense played an amazing game the whole time, up until the final whistle," MacGillivary said. "I just think it was unlucky."
MacGillivary led the Cardinals with three shots in the game. Coach Annette Payne said MacGillivary's offensive performance wasn't expected but was due to the sophomore's strong play.
"Brooke did some very good things with the ball," Payne said. "She had a lot of off-ball runs, and that helped her open up the field quite a bit."
Payne said the team had many chances to get on the board but were unable to push them in.
"The opportunities we had were very good," Payne said. "We just couldn't send them into the back of the net."
The Cardinals have lost five consecutive games following a season-opening win against Villanova University. During the losing streak Ball State has lost two games to nationally ranked teams. Still, Payne was pleased with her team's performance against nationally ranked Indiana.
"There were a lot of things we needed to focus on today and we were able to do that," Payne said. "If we'd have gotten on the scoreboard or come away with a win, it would have been better. But we're happy with the things we needed to focus on."
MacGillivary was also pleased with the team's performance and said it would aim to work together to gear up for MAC play, which begins on Saturday with a home game against Miami University.
"We're all just working on building as a team and coming together," MacGillivary said. "Today was a step in the right direction."
Payne said preparation would be key for the Cardinals to break their losing streak and get off to a strong start in the league.
"This week, we still have to buckle down," Payne said. "We have to focus on us. We know Miami. We have to be prepared for what they will bring and what we need to bring."
Ball State entered MAC play in 2006 on a five-game losing streak but won five of its first seven MAC games. Payne said offensive play will be key to the Cardinals' attempt to repeat that feat this season.
"We're going to continue to try to make better attack opportunities," Payne said.
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