Although the Mid-American Conference Tournament does not start until Sunday, the Ball State University soccer team is treating today's game like the tournament has already started.
The Cardinals (8-9-1, 4-5-1 MAC) enter today's game against Miami University (6-10-1, 5-5 MAC) fighting to secure a spot in the MAC Tournament. If they lose, they could be left out of the postseason for the first time since 2000.
"I just kind of feel that the tournament is staring early this year," senior Bailey Decker said. "If we end up losing our season is over."
Ball State would earn a spot in the tournament with a win or a tie against Miami. An Ohio University (4-10-3, 3-5-2 MAC) loss to the University of Akron (7-8-2, 2-6-2 MAC), which has been eliminated from tournament contention, would also guarantee Ball State a spot in the tournament.
A Ball State loss and an Ohio win would knock the Cardinals out of the tournament for the first time in eight years, which was the second year of Ball State soccer.
"[Today] is a win or go home game for us," coach Michael said. "We want to put that on ourselves. We don't want to worry about what any other team does. We want to control our own fate."
Miami is seventh in the conference standings, one spot ahead of Ball State. The RedHawks have secured a spot in the tournament and are playing for seeding in the final regular season game.
"More than anything I think they would love to end our season," Decker said.
Lovett said when he was hired as the team's coach last spring, he was told the rivalry with Miami was the most emotionally, intense rivalry for the Cardinals.
The past two years Ball State and Miami played in the regular season finale and the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament. Ball State won three of the four games, including the two last year.
In the teams' last meeting, the Cardinals knocked the RedHawks out of the 2007 MAC tournament with a 1-0 win.
Ball State cannot let the emotions overtake it and must focus on its own play, Lovett said.
"We have to be aggressive and focus on our game plan," he said. "We can't worry about Miami. We have to make sure we bring our game plan and our best effort."
In today's game against Miami, the Cardinals, the two-time defending MAC champions, will try to avoid joining the RedHawks in the history books.
The defending MAC regular season champion has made the conference tournament every year except for once, when Miami finished ninth during the 2003 season after winning the 2002 regular season and tournament title.
Despite the struggles the Cardinals have experienced, they said they are still confident and ready to show the rest of the conference what they are capable of.
"We're ranked No. 8 right now but that doesn't reflect how good we are," Decker said. "I think we are the best team in the MAC."
Possible scenarios
- If Ball State beats Miami, it will be the No. 7 seed in the MAC tournament. As the No. 7 seed, Ball State would play the No. 2 seed, which will be the winner of today's Eastern Michigan-Central Michigan game. The Cardinals lost to Central Michigan 3-0 Sept. 26, but beat Eastern Michigan 3-0 Sept. 28.
- If Ball State ties Miami, it will be the No. 8 seed. As the No. 8 seed, Ball State would play the MAC's regular season champion, Toledo. Toledo has won the last two MAC championships and beat Ball State 1-0 Oct. 12.
- If Ball State loses to Miami it will need help from Akron to make the MAC tournament. If Akron beats or ties Ohio, Ball State would still earn the No. 8 seed in the MAC tournament despite a loss to Miami.
- If Ball State loses to Miami and Ohio beats Akron, Ball State would not make the MAC tournament for the first time since 2000.
Bailey Decker
What do you think of the way your senior season has gone so far?Annie Aiello
What is your most memorable moment as a member of the Ball State soccer team?Emily Rein
What are your thoughts on playing in your final game at the Ball State Soccer Field?Katelyn Alexander
What is your greatest accomplishment in your time with the Ball State soccer team?Sarah Schumacker
What are your thoughts on playing in your final game at the Ball State Soccer Field?Rachael Murphy
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