While the Ball State University women's soccer team lost both of its games this weekend, coach Michelle Salmon said her team is playing its best soccer since she arrived at the university in 2006.
Ball State (2-4) lost to Indiana University 2-1 Sunday and Eastern Illinois University 1-0 Friday. The Cardinals are currently in the midst of a three game losing streak.
However, Salmon said she is optimistic after the weekend.
"We put in two very dominating performances and just came up short on the goal scoring," she said. "We're playing great soccer right now. We're doing some great things on and off the ball [Sunday]. By far [Sunday] in the second half was our best performance since I've been here."
In both games during the weekend, the Cardinals outshot their opponents, including outshooting Eastern Illinois 22-5.
Salmon said to understand how good the team is playing you have to see the team play.
"If you would have been there [Sunday], you would have seen a team that played with such character, played with such heart, played with such intensity, that it was inspiring to be a part of," she said.
Junior Emily Rein also said the standings do not show the full picture of how the Cardinals are playing.
"I came out of the game not even feeling like we lost because of how well our team did," she said.
Ball State doubled Indiana's shot total with 20 compared to 10 Sunday. Ball State also led the Hoosiers in corner kicks with six compared to four.
Indiana did lead the Cardinals in saves with five to Ball State's two.
However, the most important part of Sunday's game was not on the scoreboard, Salmon said.
"[Sunday's] game, when I look at it, was one of the most exciting games that I've coached in the sense that this team really came out and played inspired soccer," she said. "They played for each other today and they played off each other."
Along with outshooting Eastern Illinois, the Cardinals also had eight corner kicks to Eastern Illinois one. Ball State trailed in saves against Eastern Illinois seven to two.
Salmon said she is pleased with the way Ball State is forcing opposing goalkeepers to work.
"We're playing some great soccer right now," she said. "We're dominating in every category except for on the scoreboard and that's going to come. When you're playing as well as we are right now the goals will come."
Rein currently is tied with junior Katelyn Alexander for Ball State's most points scored this season with five each.
Several factors contribute to the ability to score goals, she said.
"It's a combination of practice and luck," Rein said. "Sometimes the ball just doesn't fall for you and I think a lot of that was this weekend."
With four losses this season, the Cardinals have already matched their loss total from 2006.
Salmon said their opponents have a lot to do with the Cardinals' record.
"Our strength of schedule from this year to last year has shot up," she said. "It's night and day from this year to last year. We're playing some tougher opponents as we get ready for our preparation to go into the MAC. We knew we had to do that coming into the season. And by playing some stronger opponents, I feel like we're playing our best soccer and that's a great thing."
Despite the weekend losses, Rein said the team is solely focused on looking forward.
"We lost two games this weekend but that's over with, we can't do anything about it," Rein said. "We're just focused on next weekend."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
