This week's practices for the Ball State University soccer team have looked a lot like rugby.
After a 3-0 loss to Central Michigan University a week ago, the team's worst loss in two years, the Cardinals (5-5-0, 1-1-0 Mid-American Conference) raised their intensity to rebound with a 3-0 win against Eastern Michigan University. The intensity from Sunday's win has carried over to practice this week, which will help Ball State win more games, coach Michael Lovett said.
"It's been so fun to watch -¡- all the competition," Lovett said. "There hasn't been a weak moment. There hasn't been a slow moment. They've been hitting hard this week."
Defender Jen Vilkoski said the Cardinals simply did not come out to play against Central Michigan.
On Saturday and Sunday the team started to come together and the atmosphere changed, she said."Before it's been kind of lackadaisical," Vilkoski said. "[Now] We're coming out and keeping the intensity high and working hard."
Ball State's first opportunity to see if it can come out with the same intensity is at 4 p.m. against the University at Buffalo (4-3-2, 0-2 MAC).
Lovett said Buffalo, the one team in the MAC to beat Ball State last year, will likely come out with a chip on its shoulder as a result of its 0-2 start in conference play.
The Cardinals then play host to Kent State University (5-4, 2-0 MAC) at 1 p.m. Sunday. Lovett said Kent State is dangerous because of the confidence it has from its 2-0 start in the conference.
After the game against Kent State, Ball State will honor its 2007 regular season MAC championship team with a ring ceremony.
"I think it's going to be a reality check of this is what we want to do every year," Lovett said of the ceremony. "I really think it's going to motivate our girls to play inspired."
Last year Ball State started conference play with six consecutive shutouts, en route to a 7-0-1 record to begin MAC play. The start helped lead the team to a second-consecutive regular season conference championship.
After a loss to begin MAC play this year, Vilkoski said she thinks Sunday's rebound victory will help to get the team back on track.
"I think we're starting to get into the rhythm, and I think it is coming," the senior said. "I think we're starting to get that back of what we had last year."
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