The field hockey team heads to Central Michigan today to fightfor a chance to move up the rankings in the Mid-American ConferenceTournament.
"We want to finish out the season hard," head coach AnnettePayne said. "I would really like to see the team come out and playtogether. I would really, really like to see the team finish theball and finish the play and finish the pass. I want to see themconnect with one another and play well with one another."
Ball State (8-9, 5-4 MAC) is tied with Central Michigan (7-9,5-4) for third in the MAC. Both are half a game behind Louisvillefor the second spot and a game and a half behind first-place KentState.
Because Louisville and Kent State play each other Saturday, thehighest Ball State can place is second. To do that, the Cardinalsneed to win today, and Kent State has to lose both its games,including a match with last-place Miami, this weekend.
Ball State would also reach second if Louisville loses both itsgames this weekend.
If Ball State losses today, it will fall to fourth in the MAC,and Central Michigan will jump to third. The two would then playeach other when the tournament starts Nov. 7 at Kent State.
The Cardinals want the highest seed possible, Payne said, butthey can't be concerned with schools' performances. They have tofocus on today's game, she said.
"The big thing to focus on is the importance of the game, numberone," Payne said. "Number two, we want to come out hard and readyto play. We do that through preparation and a good week ofpractice.
"(Tournament seeding) is important and makes a pretty bigdifference, but you have to take care of business first. In orderto do that, we've got a game this weekend. We have to do our partas a team."
Senior Afton Hess will play her last regular-season game today.Hess was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week for the third timethis season. No other player in the conference has won the awardmore than twice.
Hess continues to lead the MAN. Her 16 goals top Kent Statesenior Jennifer Melnyk's by four. Hess also has 40 total points, 11more than Kent State senior Berber Rischen.
"She's been a huge contributor to our team," Payne said. "(Theaward) is a huge compliment to her as well as the team."
Payne couldn't say, however, if Hess was a front-runner for MACPlayer of the Year.
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