After failing to live up to expectations last season, the field hockey team will start 2008 without much of that extra baggage.
Ball State University was picked to finish fifth of six teams in the Mid-American Conference by the league coaches in a poll released last week. Kent State University was chosen as the favorite to capture the regular season title and win the conference tournament.
After the Cardinals were picked to finish second, they finished the 2007 regular season in fifth place with a 3-7 MAC record, before losing in the first round of the tournament 1-0 to Central Michigan University. The team will look to improve on its 5-13 overall record from last year.
"As a team we have to take care of what is in our hands," coach Annette Payne said. "The season hasn't begun yet, so we can still control a lot of things."
The Cardinals return six letter winners from the 2007 squad, the lowest total in the MAC. While Payne understands the ranking, she said, Ball State can still be a strong competitor in the conference.
"I respect the MAC teams and their coaches," Payne said, "but I believe in the team. They can do great things."
Kent State was selected over Miami University and Ohio University, the reigning champions. The Golden Flashes finished second in the regular season before losing to Miami in the semifinals. They return seven starters, including MAC Freshman of the Year Rachel Miller. Kent State is coached by 2007 MAC Coach of the Year Kathleen Schanne, whose team has its sights set on keeping the MAC Tournament Trophy in Kent, Ohio.
"We have lofty goals," Schanne said. "We want to vie for the MAC tourney championship. We have a strong core of upperclassmen who want to add to a long tradition of excellence."
Last year Ball State and Kent State split their two meetings, with the visitors picking up the victory both times. The Cardinals first dropped a 3-2 game in Muncie, before defeating the Golden Flashes 5-4 in overtime.
"[Ball State] is always a one goal game," Schanne said. "We never take them lightly, and they're always in the game."
Payne said she saw no reason that the tradition of close games with Kent State wouldn't continue this year.
"There's quite a bit of camaraderie there," Payne said. "It's a good platform for good competition and we want to put on a good game."
Miami and Ohio met in the championship a season ago, with the Bobcats knocking off Miami on their home field 3-2 in overtime. Ohio will be led by 2007 MAC Player of the Year Jessie Martin, who allowed only 1.2 goals last season.
The bottom half of the conference was predicted to finish in the same order as last year ended, with Central Michigan in fourth and Missouri State University last.
Ball State opens its season on the road Saturday when it will play Richmond as a part of the Miami Kick-off Classic.
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