The result at the end of the game may have been the same as Ball State University's last two disappointments, but the field hockey team's 2-0 loss to Indiana University on Saturday was definitely an improvement.
The loss extended the Cardinals' losing streak to six games, but the team had more offensive firepower than they displayed in losses to St. Louis University and Ohio State University.
Junior forward Haley Funk scored the Hoosiers' first goal and assisted on their second, but Ball State kept Indiana's offense scoreless in the first half.
"We did a great job stepping up in the back," coach Annette Payne said. "We knew how they would work the ball."
Goalkeeper Tiffany Shifflet set a season-high 11 saves including seven in the first half. Shifflett has 46 saves this season.
"She played great," Payne said. "We had a lot of players play great; she played very well."
The defense faced 17 shots from the Hoosiers.
The defense was also able to withstand nine penalty corners for the Hoosiers, including six in the first half. The team has allowed one goal in 25 penalty corners during the last two games.
"It's not my best friend in the world," Shifflett said. "I definitely see improvement from the beginning of the season. We come out strong, and we own the cage. My motto is 'If we get them, we're getting them out.'"
The Cardinals had 11 shots Saturday, compared to the one shot attempt they had at Ohio State. The team was unable to score for the second straight game.
"There's nothing that you can't fix," Payne said. "I think we've got to be committed as a team. There are a couple things we have to be great at. We did great what we're very good at."
Ball State's best opportunity for a score came four minutes into the second half when Brittany Hammer found Hannah Jones in front of the goal on a breakaway. Jones' reverse stick attempt got past Indiana goalkeeper Alex Mann, but a defensive save by defender Elizabeth Schmidt kept the game scoreless.
The Cardinals also had a good chance to take the lead before halftime when Devanny Kuhn got the ball to fellow freshman Caitlin Maguire after an interception. Maguire's shot was blocked, and Ball State was called for a foul on the rebound, ending the half.
During the second half the Hoosiers seemed to take advantage of some of the hosts' tired legs. The game was the fourth in nine games for the Cardinals and the fourth in eight days for Indiana.
"We got tired," Payne said. "We have to work on that because we have to be able to execute when we're tired. They all didn't get tired, but we have to do a better job executing."
Shifflett said she didn't realize how many games the team had played before reading it in the newspaper and didn't let it bother her.
"I didn't even think about that," Shifflett said. "I really wasn't focused on how many games we played, I just go to practice and do what we need to do."
Five things to take away1. Ball State ended its non-conference schedule on a six-game losing streak.
2. Junior goalkeeper Tiffany Shifflett had a season-high 11 saves, including seven in the first half.
3. Ball State's offense tallied 11 shots, 10 more then they managed Wednesday at Ohio State.
4. The game was scoreless at halftime.
5. Indiana forward Haley Funk scored the game's first goal and assisted on the second.
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