FIELD HOCKEY: Ball State closes out regular season in Ohio

The Cardinals face off against two Mid-American Conference opponents Saturday and Sunday. The first game against Ohio University, and the second Kent State University.

Coach Annette Payne and her team had a full week of preparation. Payne said she feels confident that if her team brings into these next two games what they've went over in practice they will be just fine.

"We've had a really good week of practice," Payne said. "We spent the week going over game situations that should help us, we've had five days to get ready this is a very big weekend for us."

Coming off a weekend where the team put up four goals against Missouri State, the teams overall confidence has been raised, Payne said.

"The girls are definitely confident after this past weekend, they've got some energy and they've been practicing hard and feel that they are ready to do their job," Payne said. "They seem confident for these next two games. Both games this weekend are big for us. We can't think about things too much; we just have to do what comes natural."

With the confidence that the team has now, expectations for this weekend are to play how they know how to and come out strong, Payne said.

"We need to feel prepared and ready to go," Payne said. "We have to get well rested for two games back to back, right now we have a good mind set and good energy and that's what we're going to need."

 The flow of how the Cardinals play the game is what Payne said will determine if the offense keeps going strong.

"Last weekend I think we did a great job of producing on offense and staying within the flow of the game, It's an imperfect game and we talked a lot about that and how we need to stay within that flow, "Payne said. "Our offense will work well if our defense and attack stay united, reacting to imperfections is key."

With these two final games in the regular season being conference opponents, it gives the Cardinals the opportunity to finish the season before starting the conference tournament Thursday.

"I think it's important and I know it's important for them to finish this year strong," Payne said. "It's important to them each practice and each day, they've have to relax and enjoy hockey, It's about them this weekend."