The Ball State University soccer team proved this weekend it does not want to play in close games.
The Cardinals (7-5, 3-1 Mid-American Conference) won both of their games this weekend by three goals. They beat the University at Buffalo (4-5-2, 0-4 MAC) 4-1 Friday and then beat Kent State University (5-6, 2-2 MAC) 3-0 Sunday at the Ball State Soccer Field.
Coach Michael Lovett said the team has focused on proving it is the better team on the field since losing 3-0 to Central Michigan University (9-2, 4-0 MAC) Sept. 26. The result is the Cardinals have won their past three games all by three goals, their largest margins of victory since the 2007 season opener.
"If we say we're the better team, if we think we're the better team, let's prove we're the better team on the scoreboard," Lovett said. "To beat somebody by one goal, to me that doesn't prove much."
Throughout non-conference play, every Ball State game was decided by one or two goals. The team's streak of games being decided by fewer than three goals dated back to Aug. 31, 2007, and included 27 games.
The streak came to an end with the 3-0 Ball State loss at Central Michigan, the Cardinals' worst loss since 2006.
"After that loss to Central, I think we really game together as a team and said 'we don't ever want to be on that side of a 3-0 game again,'" forward Emily Rein said.
After playing in tight games that should not have been tight throughout non-conference play, Lovett said, he now loves how the team is playing. He also said he loves that the Cardinals have such a team-oriented attack.
Seven Ball State players scored the seven goals against Buffalo and Kent State this weekend. Friday Sarah Schumacker, Megan Ridley, Tina Vannatta and Meg Mellott scored for Ball State. Katelyn Alexander, Abby Milillo and Emily Rein then scored goals Sunday.
"That's tough to scout because you never know on any given day who's going to bring it, who's going to be in the right place at the right time," Lovett said.
Two of Ball State's goals Friday came in the first three minutes of the second half to give the Cardinals a 3-1 lead. Their first goal Sunday came a little more than five minutes after the start of the game.
Lovett said he challenged the team to score early and set the pace for the entire game.
"I've told them the time for talk is over," he said. "If we want to prove it, if we want to show our fans, show ourselves, show each other that we are a better team when we step on the field against whomever we come up against we have to shut them up early."
After beating Kent State on Sunday, Ball State honored its 2007 MAC championship team with a ring ceremony.
Rein said the team really wants to get a third-consecutive conference championship this season. The team knows there is a lot of work ahead, though, as they are one game behind Central Michigan for the MAC lead, she said.
Lovett said with the way the Cardinals have played the past three games, they are setting themselves up well for another chance to win the conference.
"If we come out every game and play as hard as we've played the past three, it's going to be tough to beat us," he said.
Five things to take away:
1. Ball State has won its past three games all by three goals. All four of the Cardinals' non-conference games have been decided by three goals.
2. Seven Cardinals scored goals this weekend. Freshmen Tina Vannatta and Abby Milillo scored their first collegiate goals.
3. Twelve Ball State players have scored goals this season.
4. Ball State is one game behind Central Michigan for the Mid-American Conference lead. The Chippewas are 4-0 in MAC play.
5. President Jo Ann Gora and athletics director Tom Collins presented the players from the 2007 MAC championship team with their championship rings after Sunday's 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
