Ball State University's field hockey team spent most of the Labor Day weekend playing defense.
The Cardinals were outshot 78 to 18 in three games, including 26 to 1 against Northeastern University, and lost three times over the Labor Day weekend.
All three of the Cardinals' opponents - the University of Louisville, Northeastern and Northwestern University - were nationally-ranked teams, as Louisville is currently No. 14 and the other two received votes in the national rankings.
"We need to generate more of an attack and play better defense," coach Annette Payne said.
Goalkeeper Tiffany Shifflett had 37 saves in the three games during the weekend. In five games this season Shifflett leads the conference with 58 saves and is on pace to break the school's single-season record for saves.
Ball State has lost four straight games following a victory over Villanova University in their first game of the season.
One bright spot for Ball State was junior forward Casey Hunsicker, who scored Ball State's lone goal against Northeastern in a game the Cardinals lost 4-1. Hunsicker also gave the team a temporary lead against Northwestern by putting in the first goal of that game. The Wildcats eventually won 5-2.
Senior midfielder Jamie Kahn said it's up to the entire team to provide a second offensive option to back up Hunsicker.
"I think, this year, it's not about one or two people," Kahn said. "We all need to score."
Payne said her whole team was working to complement Hunsicker offensively.
"They're all working hard trying to be a goal scorer," Payne said. "In time, it will come."
Hunsicker said the team's mental approach to each game is also important.
"You can't go out thinking you've already lost," Hunsicker said. "You've got to think it's a brand new game every day."
Payne said the team would work through its recent difficulties as a single unit.
"We don't handle these problems individually, but as a team," Payne said.
Kahn also said team unity in the face of problems is important.
"Instead of playing as individual lines, we need to play as a whole unit," Kahn said. "We need to have a more offensive mind, work together and play as one."
The Cardinals play one more non-conference game before they open Mid-American Conference play. Ball State faces Indiana University Saturday. Hunsicker said getting a win in that game will be important for the team's morale heading into league play.
"We don't want to come into the MAC with a losing streak of however many games," Hunsicker said.
Kahn said the Cardinals can rebound if they stick to their game plan.
"I think that we need to play our style," Kahn said. "If we do that, we won't have trouble."
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