FIELD HOCKEY: Cardinals begins season with two road games

Ball State to play Colgate and Rider this weekend

With the 2011 season about to begin, and the Ball State field hockey team couldn't be more excited, especially second-year coach Beth Maddox.

The Cardinals will play two non-conference games in Hamilton, N.Y., against Colgate and Rider.

"The first game jitters will be there," Maddox said. "This will be a great weekend."

Maddox feels her team has the edge over both opponents, despite playing such a young roster.

"Rider will be a physical team and I have no doubt that we will be able to not only compete, but win the game," Maddox said.

Playing as a team, Maddox said, will lead the Cardinals to victory.

"I think we match up well against both Colgate and Rider," she said. "We have a lot of energy."

The duo of games will be the Cardinals' first since squaring off against Indiana in a scrimmage last Saturday.

The first of two contests will start at 7 p.m. Friday night against Colgate, while the weekend finale will get underway at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.