During the next two weekends, the soccer team embarks on the longest road stretch in the program's five-year history.
The program has seen growth in win totals every year, and a four-game road jaunt will test the team's skill against the top competition in the Mid-American Conference.-á
Buffalo and Kent State offer the first two tests.
Friday the team travels to Buffalo to face a Bulls team that has produced the most goals in the league so far. Emily Russell, who has scored 11 goals this season, paces the Bulls.-á
Most of the Bulls success has come in its nonconference schedule, in which they scored 10 goals in seven conference matches.
Ball State head coach Ron Rainey said the games on the road trip most likely will be won by a single goal or end in a tie.
"That's just how our league is," he said. "The difference in those games is who's converting on those opportunities, who's cutting down on mistakes in the back and then who's coming up and playing big."
Ball State will compete against Kent State on Sunday.
The Golden Flashes have exploded out of the gate in the MAC with a Friday win, and they will enter the game undefeated in conference play.
Kent State tied its first match and lost it second this season, but after that, the team has allowed four goals in 10-straight victories.-á
Alicia Fernandez, who has a .49 goals against average, and Shannon Lynn, who has a .82 goals against average, contribute to much of the success of the Flashes. Both goalies have started every other game, and if head coach Rob Marinaro sticks to his pattern, Fernandez will start against the Cardinals.
Rainey said the time away from Muncie will help the Cardinals continue to grow and cultivate their team's identity.
"We like to get on the road," he said.-á"This is a road trip where we can be with each other and enjoy each other's company and bond a little bit."
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