In the midst of a three game losing streak, the Ball State University soccer team will give out free pizza to students at today's game, Assistant Athletics Director Matt McCollester said.
Ball State (2-4) will play host to Illinois State University (4-1) at 4 p.m. at the Ball State Soccer Field, where the pizza will be given away.
Players will also pass out flyers in the Atrium around lunch time, McCollester said.
While Ball State is focused on getting more fans to the soccer games, the team is focused on what is can control on the field, coach Michelle Salmon said.
"For us, it's putting together a complete game," Salmon said. "Coming out, being a little bit more dynamic and taking chances and being a little bit more dangerous in the final third."
Freshman Kristina Anderson said she cannot make the outing at the Atrium, but she thinks it is "awesome." It is a lot of fun to have a large crowd at games, she said.
"We need to relax and remember we're out there to have fun," Anderson said.
The lone blemish on Illinois State's record was a 1-0 overtime loss to Western Illinois University.
Ball State scheduled Illinois State because the Redbirds are a strong opponent that will prepare Ball State for Mid-American Conference play, Salmon said.
"They're a great challenge for us getting ready to go into the MAC season," she said. "They're very similar to every team in the MAC."
Illinois State has recorded three shutouts this season. The Redbirds have not allowed more than one goal in a game this season.
The loss to Western Illinois was the lone time this season that Illinois State has not scored at least two goals.
"They are solid at every position," Salmon said. "They don't have a weak spot on the field. I expect a very tough game and again I think it's going to come down to one or two goals in this game."
Ball State has more than doubled its opponents in shots per game with 16.7 compared to 7.3. The extra shots have not always translated to goals though, as Ball State has scored nine goals and allowed eight. Ball State's opponents have scored more than twice as often on their shots compared to Ball State.
"Obviously we're getting the shots off," Salmon said. "But shots aren't relative to can be dangerous. If a keeper can scoop them up from 40 yards out, it's not dangerous."
Friday's game is the final chance for the Cardinals to break their losing streak before entering MAC play.
"We've been playing great soccer," Salmon said. "And obviously the results haven't really been going our way.
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