After opening the 2007 season at home last weekend, the Ball State University soccer team is heading to Florida for its first road trip of the season.
The Cardinals (1-1) will travel to Boca Raton, Fla. to play in the Florida Atlantic University Kickoff Classic this weekend.
"This is a good opportunity for our players to get out of region, out of their comfort zone, and experience things that they may not have experienced in their lifetime," coach Michelle Salmon said.
Ball State will play the tournament's host, Florida Atlantic, Friday and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Sunday.
Senior Angie Heyer said the road trip is a great experience for the players because they have time to build more team chemistry.
"We're going to have a lot of time to get to know each other," Heyer said. "We'll probably do a lot of games, just play around with each other and hang out, learn as much as we can about the underclassmen."
Traveling is good for team unity because everyone gets away from distractions they face at home, Heyer said.
Salmon said she travels a lot as a college coach and traveling with her team is her favorite type of travel.
"It is an experience that every year that you coach is different," she said
Heyer also said she likes the idea of playing against tough competition this weekend.
UNC Greensboro began the season with a 2-0 win against then-No. 27 William and Mary College and a 2-0 win against Central Michigan University.
UNC Greensboro was picked by the Southern Conference coaches to repeat as conference champions this season.
The Spartans started the season 1-7-1 and then went 14 games unbeaten until they lost in the NCAA tournament. UNC Greensboro lost in the first round of the 2006 NCAA tournament to Oklahoma State University 2-0.
Playing a team from last year's NCAA tournament will show how the Cardinals stack up against some of the nation's top teams, Heyer said.
"If we can play well against them, it will definitely show us if we can do well the first few rounds of the [NCAA] tournament," Heyer.
Florida Atlantic is 1-1 this season.
"Anytime we get an opportunity to get out of the region and play two of the best teams in the country, it's a very positive thing for our program."
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