The Ball State University soccer team returns to campus after a weekend trip to Florida with two losses. The Cardinals opened their regular season last Friday against Miami in Coral Gables, Fla., and were defeated 5-1. Sunday, the team traveled to Boca Raton in a match against Florida Atlantic University and was defeated 3-0.
"We learned this weekend we have a young and inexperienced team," coach Michael Lovett said. "But we have a good foundation to work on for the rest of the season." In spite of the two losses over the weekend, Lovett believes there were positives the team took from the matches: the team played well on the defensive side of the ball, even when they were switching personnel. He also believes the team does not have anything that needs to be changed drastically. Rather, more things need to be "cleaned up."
"Our offense really needs to be more consistent and have a better flow," Lovett said. "We were able to hit the post and crossbar in the Florida Atlantic game; we basically did everything but score."
Junior midfielder Meg Mellott provided the Cardinals only goal of the weekend, scoring in the 54th minute of the match against Miami.
Lovett said the team learned this weekend they need to come to each match prepared. He believed the team came out very prepared in the match against Miami, but were not as prepared for the Florida Atlantic match. The Cardinals had letdowns in the late stages of the first half in both matches, letting the opposition score twice before the half. Lovett believes the letdowns in the matches were both physical and mental lapses.
The team played in 95 to 100 percent humidity both matches. Sunday's game against Florida Atlantic started at noon, which made the weather worse for the team who is not used to such extreme weather, Lovett said. The team also had a few players suffer from dehydration over the weekend.
Even with the 0-2 start to the season, Lovett believes his team has a lot to look forward to for the future. The team lost many senior players from last season and is fielding 10 freshman who are still learning the college soccer game.
"We still have a whole season in front of us," Lovett said. "We shouldn't have the mental letdowns we had this weekend. But we have to move forward and play our hardest for the remainder of the season."
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