The Ball State University field hockey team returned from its two-game trip to Maryland without a win but convinced they found something to help them for the rest of the season.
"The trust that we built this weekend is going to make us play better for the rest of the season," freshman midfielder Caitlin Maguire said.
After a 7-0 loss to Towson University on Friday, Maguire said, the team members came together and talked about why they play and how to rebound from their worst loss since losing 7-0 to Ohio State University in 2006.
The result the next day was a 4-2 loss to Bucknell University to drop the Cardinals' record to 1-3, but coach Annette Payne said the team played much more to her liking.
"Against Towson we didn't show up to play," Payne said. "We fixed a lot of things coming off Towson. It was a full-team effort."
Ball State was outshot 20-4 against Towson and managed to put two shots on goal. Goalkeeper Whitney Clugston recorded her second straight shutout to open the season for the Tigers.
The Cardinals' attack didn't fare much better Saturday against Bucknell, when they were outshot 17-3. However, Maguire was able to find the back of the net on both her shots for her first collegiate goals. She gave Ball State the early lead with her first goal five minutes into the game.
"It felt really good because it was a really important game for us." Maguire said. "Getting on the scoreboard first for the team was more important than scoring for myself."
After the Towson game, the team made adjustments to better use its attack and try to create better scoring opportunities.
"Both teams shut our attack down," Payne said. "Some of what our opponents did lessened our opportunities. I felt that we were able to stretch out the field on Bucknell better than on Towson."
Maguire said the more open attack played into her game well and she was able to take advantage of the chances her teammates gave her.
"Our goal was to spread the field and use our speed and skill to get up the field," Maguire said. "I just made sure I was playing my position correctly, and I was just in the right place at the right time."
Maguire's goal was the only shot of the first half for Ball State.
"The loss really hit us kind of hard," Maguire said. "We wanted to do a complete 180."
After opening the season with two weekend trips, Ball State will play host to the University of Michigan on Friday in its home opener.
"I'm excited to finally play on campus for the weekend," Maguire said. "I'm looking forward to being able to sleep in my bed the night before a game."
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
