The Ball State University field hockey team knew its weekend slate would be difficult when it was visited by Mid-American Conference favorites Ohio and Kent State universities.
The visitors showed why they are now perched atop the conference in a three-way tie with Miami University, as each shut out the Cardinals on successive days. The Bobcats started their weekend with a 4-0 win Saturday and the Golden Flashes rebounded from a loss to Miami with a 5-0 win Sunday in Muncie.
The losses extended the Cardinals' losing streak to nine games, equaling the school record. Ball State lost nine games in a row in 2000 and 2003-04.
The combined nine-goal deficit was the worst weekend for the Cardinals since 2006 when they lost to the University of Michigan and Louisville University by a combined score of 15-1.
"We've been playing tough teams," senior forward Casey Hunsicker said. "They have good goalkeepers and good defenses. Our five attack players are strong, we're just not capitalizing."
Ball State's offense managed nine shots on the weekend, including being outshot 20-4 by Kent State. In Sunday's loss none of Ball State's forwards or midfielders had a shot.
"We just need to make better adjustments," coach Annette Payne said.
In the loss to Ohio, Ball State was able to keep the Bobcats to eight shots. That wasn't the case against the Golden Flashes, which were able to get behind the Cardinal defense.
"They're a strong attacking team," Payne said. "They interchange well and have good team speed."
Ball State was unable to stop either Ohio's Rachelle Coetzee or Kent State's Debbie Bell. Each leads its team in scoring and added to that total in Muncie. Coetzee scored the Bobcats' first and last goals Saturday, and Bell picked up a hat trick Sunday. Bell, a freshman forward, now leads the MAC with 15 goals in 12 games.
Hunsicker said the losing streak and offensive struggles are beginning to wear on the team. After Saturday's loss the Cardinals met for more than an hour in the locker room.
"Everyone's frustrated with certain aspects," Hunsicker said. "A lot of emotion has been portrayed this weekend."
Payne said she told the team it still had control over its season after Sunday's loss.
"We have to be willing to grow," Payne said. "We have to believe the rest of the games are in our hands."
Ball State is ready to leave this weekend and their losing streak in the past, Hunsicker said.
"We're not going to dwell on this weekend," she said. "All we can do is focus on each practice."
Five things to take away1. Ball State has lost nine games in a row, tying a school record.
2. The Cardinals managed nine shots in their two games this weekend.
3. The combined nine-goal deficit marks the worst weekend for the Cardinals in two years.
4. Senior defender Jodi Mann led the team with four shots this weekend.
5. In Sunday's loss, all four shots were taken by defenders.
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