SOCCER: Cards open MAC tournament today

Ball State lost 1-0 earlier in season to Central Michigan

When Ball State (11-6-2) and Central Michigan (8-8-2) played oneanother on Sept. 26 for the first time, the teams battled for 106minutes of scoreless action before a long shot by Rachel Snyderskipped on the wet grass and through the legs of MeganSwafford.

That was the regular season. Both teams continued to play afterthat.

This time, one team's season will end.

The eight-team Mid-American Conference Tournament beginsTuesday, matching the No. 4 Cardinals against the No. 5 Chippewasin Muncie at 2 p.m.

Head coach Ron Rainey leads Ball State into the playoffs on thewings of a three-game win streak, and he said the victories camefrom timely finishing.

Central Michigan, however, comes into the match struggling withthree losses in four games. The latest loss came in Chicago afterthe team fell 1-0 against Loyola, a team that finished No. 6 in theHorizon Conference.

Rainey said his team has improved since the loss to CentralMichigan.

"We have the way we want to play defined better," he said.

Rainey said his players don't have revenge on their minds.

In the first meeting, both teams recorded five shots on goal,and Central Michigan edged the Cardinals by two in cornerkicks.

The MAC conference standings were close this year, and Raineysaid that based on those results, the tournament will be verycompetitive as well.

"All eight teams should feel confident that they can win thetournament," he said.

Central Michigan goalie Anne Decker, who shut out the Cardinalsin the first game, has allowed five goals in two-straight losses.Ball State goalies Swafford and Alison Becker enter the match onthe heels of three-straight shut outs. Swafford, who normally playsthe first half of games, has not surrendered a goal in the lasteight games.


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