If the Ball State University field hockey team needed any extra motivation to break its record-tying nine-game losing streak, it will get it Saturday when the team celebrates senior day against Central Michigan University.
Though the Cardinals have two more home games after Saturday, senior day ceremonies will be held then because it is the final Saturday home game, allowing more family members to attend. Forward Casey Hunsicker and defenders Jodi Mann and Melanie Pasillas will be recognized in a pregame ceremony.
The team will take the field again Sunday when it is visited by Miami University.
Pasillas' family is taking advantage of the travel-conducive schedule and will bring 13 relatives to Muncie for the weekend.
"My parents have come out five times this year," the California native said. "But I have aunts and cousins coming."
Hunsicker will also play in front of more family than her parents, who attend almost all of her games both home and away.
"It means a lot more fans," Hunsicker said. "That's something we can't let be a distraction. We have to feed off that and make it a motivator."
Central Michigan enters the weekend with a 1-8 record, similar to the Cardinals' 1-10 mark. The Chippewas will play Miami on Friday before travelling to Ball State.
Senior forward Samantha Sandham leads Central Michigan with eight goals and 18 points.
Miami holds an 8-3 overall record and is 3-1 in the Mid-American Conference, tied with Kent State University and Ohio University for first.
Ball State was in an almost identical situation with Central Michigan two years ago. The Cardinals entered that game with a 1-9 mark and defeated the Chippewas 2-1 in overtime to begin a five-game winning streak. Ball State capitalized on that momentum to reach the MAC Tournament championship game, which it lost 2-1 in overtime to Ohio.
Mann said she has thought about the similarities in the situations and hopes for another turnaround this year.
"We turned it around with Central Michigan that year," Mann said. "I think it's a motivator to go in and turn it around again."
HistoryIf Ball State loses against Central Michigan on Saturday, it will set the school's field hockey record for longest losing streak. However, other programs at Ball State University have had worse losing streaks:
21: Football (1998-2000)18: Women's basketball (1992-93)13: Women's volleyball (2007)11: Men's basketball (1973-74, 2007)9: Field hockey (2000, 2008)9: Soccer (1999)
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
