After giving the No. 16 University of Michigan a wakeup call, the Ball State University field hockey team received one of its own two days later.
Ball State nearly upset Michigan on Friday before falling 4-3. But Sunday's 2-1 loss to St. Louis University was a completely different game although the result was the same for the Cardinals, which fell to 1-5 on the season.
"If you play great on Friday and don't play to your potential on Sunday, that's a big lesson to learn," coach Annette Payne said.
In the second half, Michigan scored twice to overcome a 3-2 deficit. The Wolverines would even their record at 3-3 the next day with a 10-0 win against St. Louis in Muncie.
Michigan's Michaela McDermott said Ball State gave them problems because of its desire.
The attitude that powered the Michigan game was lacking for the Cardinals when they took the field Sunday, forward Casey Hunsicker said. After appearing to control the first 20 minutes of the game, St. Louis scored first.
"They caught us off guard," Hunsicker said. "We thought we could just come out and dominate them."
St. Louis would add another goal to take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
"We didn't come out ready to fight," Hunsicker said. "Our fundamentals gave out."
The Cardinals were able to cut the Billikens' lead in half with five minutes left.
Ball State with a lot of improvement before they take the field again Wednesday against No. 15 Ohio State.
"I think it's more respecting our opponent," freshman Brittany Hammer said. "We need to come in every game like we did against Michigan."
The Cardinals have two games before the Mid-American Conference season starts in two weeks at Missouri State University. Ball State will play in Columbus, Ohio, and then return home to face Indiana University on Saturday. Payne hopes her team has learned its lesson after this weekend and won't need to be reminded again.
"It's about respect," Payne said. "I hope they don't forget."
Five things to take away1. The Cardinals almost upset no. 16 Michigan on Friday.
2. The team came up short against St. Louis after they didn't take their opponent seriously.
3. Junior forward Brooke MacGillivary returned to the Cardinal lineup after missing two games with a back injury and had an assist against Michigan.
4. Freshman forward Brittany Hammer scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season Friday.
5. Ball State has now lost six straight home openers.
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