The search to find an offensive groove for the Ball State University field hockey team is still in the making after it was shut out by Ohio State University 5-0 in its home opener on Tuesday.
This makes for the Cardinals' second shut out of the season, the other coming from a 4-0 loss to University of Michigan.Losing to the Buckeyes increases the Cardinals' losing streak to six after starting the season 2-0. It also puts Ball State at 0-3 against Big Ten opponents this season.
"We haven't come out strong in the past two games," coach Annette Payne said. "We need to try to get back to where we were early in the season in the first four games where we started out well."
For the third straight game, the Cardinals were unable to produce an early goal, and instead they gave up a goal in the first five minutes.
At the 3:53 mark, Ohio State's Jena Cacciatore gave the Buckeyes an early lead. Ball State's offense took one shot in the first period as Ohio State's offense produced two more goals at the 14:28 and 15:34 marks.
Giving the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead going into the second period, the Cardinals were outshot 13-1 in the first half. The one shot came from Devanny Kuhn, who led Ball State with two shots in the game.
"We knew Ohio State had forwards that were talented and they got in there early and did their job," Payne said. "Goals early on were something that we talked about preventing, but once we started to settle down and get into our groove, we were fine."
The Buckeyes continued their scoring ways six minutes into the second period with another goal from Ohio State's Maria Briones, giving her two goals for the day.
The Buckeyes capped off their victory with a final goal at the 49:41 mark for a 5-0 victory.
The Cardinals were outshot by the Buckeyes 24-5. Ball State took one shot in the first period and four in the second period.
"We need to continue to finish and find a groove," Payne said. "They're all working hard and doing their part, and that's what you hope for - that it will all collect together."
During the next three days of practice, the team will work hard to go over what it spoke about after the game and correct its mistakes, Payne said.
"We need these next couple days of practice to go over what we discussed [Wednesday]," Payne said. "We need to focus on attack both sides of the ball, and the girls need to be more efficient. This week we'll go over film specifically and make the changes needed. Hopefully we can bring those changes into this Saturday."
Senior goalkeeper Tiffany Shifflett recorded another double-digit save game with 10 total saves in 70 minutes.
Ball State returns to conference action on Saturday against Central Michigan University. The Chippewas have a 2-4 overall record (0-1 in MAC play).
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