Having collected wins in two of its last three games, Ball State University's 2007 field hockey team is starting to look a lot like the 2006 version that made a mid-season rally and stormed to the Mid-American Conference title game.
"We've been playing really well these last few games, kind of like last year," sophomore forward Brooke MacGillivary said. "Now we're picking up speed heading into the tournament."
No one on the Ball State squad has been playing better than MacGillivary, who on Tuesday collected her third MAC Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season and her second in a row. Last week MacGillivary compiled six goals and an assist in the Cardinals' two games, including four in the team's 5-4 come-from-behind overtime win against Kent State University. She now stands atop the league in goal scoring with 14.
Ball State will be in action twice again this weekend, visiting Miami University on Friday afternoon before returning home for its final regular-season home game against Central Michigan University on Sunday.
The Cardinals currently sport a 2-5 league record and are in fifth place of six teams in the MAC, but could potentially climb as high as third place before the conference tournament begins. A fourth-place finish would assure the team a first-round home game in the tournament.
"We're in a situation now where every game is important," Cardinals coach Annette Payne said.
The Miami game will represent another opportunity for Ball State to avenge a close defeat. The RedHawks beat Ball State 2-1 in the Cardinals' league opener on a penalty corner shot that was awarded as time expired. It was the first of four one-goal defeats in conference play for Ball State.
The team believes that avenging that loss may spark a boost of momentum that can extend into the conference tournament.
"I think it'd be huge to finish in the MAC really strong, then go into the conference tournament ready to go," senior forward Katie Kloeckener, who had three assists in the win against Kent State, said.
After that victory, Ball State's second in its last three tries against the Golden Flashes, Payne emphasized focus as the team heads into their final three league games.
"We have to be ready to refocus," Payne said. "We've got to be willing to do what's going to work."
MacGillivary felt the team played its best game against Kent State and is determined to build momentum for the Cardinals.
"It really made a difference that we were all attacking together," MacGillivary said. "Now we want to win this game so we can keep the momentum going."
In actionBALL STATE VS. Central Michigan
TIME2:00 p.m. Sunday
VENUEBSU Turf Field
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