After training for two hours per week for the last nine months, the Ball State University power soccer team will have a chance to play in a national tournament.
In the program's first year, Ball State's team was one of 16 teams selected by the United States Power Soccer Association governing committee to compete in the USPSA National Championship starting Friday in Fishers.
The three-day competition will last from June 19 to June 21.
The competition will start with two days of pool play with four teams in four separate pools.
Players said they have been using their qualification for nationals as motivation to practice.
"We have been practicing since October with hopes of qualifying for nationals and then once we actually did, we've been practicing even harder," club President Natalie Russo said.
Junior Allen Caldwell said he thinks his team is better than they expected.
"I think that some teams might look at us and think that we are not that talented as a unit," he said. "But I expect that we will prove the competition wrong."
In a typical practice, the team moves a ball down a basketball court to place the ball between two cones serving as goal posts.
The team practices in Irving Gymnasium, despite the challenges of scheduling a time and place to practice during the summer months.
Sophomore physics major J.C. Russo said he credits his teammates for their dedication.
"Having half of our team driving over an hour to practice really shows the commitment we all have," he said. "It is important for everyone to commit so we can focus on our game and getting to the game."
Sophomore sports administration major Kent Romy said the team's seven players each have different skill levels.
"I think getting everyone on the same page has been the biggest challenge," Romy said. "It took a while but I think we are starting to work well together."
Romy said he thought that this improvement in team chemistry played a role in their being selected to participate in the tournament.
"We have a good team on paper, but we haven't worked to our potential yet," he said. "And the board that decides who goes to nationals saw that we are better than we performed."
Tournament timesGames schedule for Ball State
Friday
- 11:15 a.m. vs. Atlanta Synergy
- 1:45 p.m. vs. California BORP
- 9:15 p.m. vs. Atlanta Tigers
- 4:15 p.m. vs. Sudden Impact
- TBD (quarterfinal)
- TBD (semifinal)
- TBD (final)
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