Ball State University Athletics
Soccer Travels to Bowling Green and Toledo This Weekend
September 28, 2006 | Soccer
This Weekend's Games . . .
The Cardinals hit the road in Mid-American Conference action for the first time this season as they travel to Bowling Green and Toledo. The Cardinals and both the Falcons and Rockets enter the weekend atop of the MAC standings with 2-0-0 records after one weekend of conference play.
Road Friendly . . .
The Cardinals hit the road this weekend and have quickly become acclimated to life away from home. So far this season, BSU is 3-1-1 on the road and are 10-3-2 over the past two seasons which is good for .730 road winning percentage.
While the Cardinals have had success on the road it is not yet matching their record in the friendly confines of BSU Soccer Field. The Cardinals are 12-1-1 over the past two seasons at home.
Series History . . .
Friday afternoon's game at Bowling Green marks the eighth meeting all-time between the MAC rivals with Ball State holding a 4-2-1 record all-time against the Falcons. The Cardinals have won the past two meetings against BGSU, including a 3-0 victory last season in Muncie. In that victory, Amy Holst and Annie Aiello each tallied goals while Angie Heyer added a goal and an assist against the Falcons. The Cardinals are actually the last MAC team to win in Bowling Green when BSU picked up a 2-1 victory in 2004.
Sunday's meeting is the eighth meeting all-time as well between Ball State and Toledo with the Cardinals owning a 5-2-0 overall record in the series. BSU has won the past three meetings against the Rockets, including a 1-0 victory last season at home. Defender Betsy Wilcek scored the game's lone goal in the 69th minute off of an assist from Sarah Leibel.
About the Cardinals . . .
Ball State enters the weekend with a 7-1-2 overall record and a 2-0-0 record in the Mid-American Conference. The Cardinals opened MAC play last weekend with victories over Kent State and Buffalo in Muncie.
The Cardinals lead the MAC in scoring with 22 goals on the season as nine different players have found the back of the net.
Five Cardinals have scored three or more goals so far this season with Sarah Schumacker and Amy Holst boasting four goals each. Vandi Ogden, Emily Rein and Sarah Leibel each have chipped in three goals apiece as all five players are in the top eight in the conference in scoring.
About the Falcons . . .
Bowling Green enters the weekend one of four teams atop the MAC with a 2-0-0 record after one weekend of play. The Falcons carry a 5-5-0 overall record into the meeting with BSU and are riding a 10-game home winning streak.
The Falcons posted a pair of shutouts last weekend against Northern Illinois and Western Michigan at home as BGSU opens the MAC with four straight home games. Danielle Cygan scored both of the game-winning goals last weekend for the Falcons.
About the Rockets . . .
Toledo enters the weekend as one of four teams with a 2-0-0 record in MAC play and the Rockets carry a 3-5-2 record overall. The Rockets opened MAC play last weekend with a pair of victories over Western Michigan and Northern Illinois. Toledo is 8-2-1 over the past two seasons at home and host Miami on Friday afternoon.
The Rockets have had 10 different players notch a goal on the season with five leading the way with two goals apiece. Molly Cornwell leads the attack with two goals and three assists to lead the team with seven total points.
MAC Stats . . .
The Cardinals can be seen near the top of most statistical categories in the latest Mid-American Conference release. The Cardinals are among the top three in nine of the 14 team statistical categories, including the top mark in six categories. BSU leads the league in shots per game (17.0), points (6.10), goals (22), goals per game (2.20), assists (17) and corner kicks (65).
The Cardinals also have five players in the top eight in goals and five players in the top nine in total points.
New Face at the Front . . .
Ball State first-year head coach Michelle Salmon picked up her first victory with the Cardinals in her first game when BSU downed IPFW, 5-1. The Cardinals are off to a 7-1-2 record under Salmon as she now boasts a 53-54-10 overall career coaching record.
Salmon joins the Cardinals staff after spending the past six seasons at the helm of UMBC. She compiled a 46-53-8 record with the Retrievers before coming to Muncie.
Preseason Prognosticators . . .
Ball State, fresh off of a second place finish in the MAC last fall, was picked to finish tied for seventh place by league coaches in the Preseason MAC Poll. The Cardinals were picked to finish tied with Eastern Michigan.
Central Michigan was the overall favorite to win the league crown and the conference tournament championship this fall as the Chippewas return 10 of 11 starters from last season. Defending champion Bowling Green was picked to finish third this season with Western Michigan tabbed for second.
Looking Ahead . . .
The Cardinals will be back at home next weekend as they continue MAC play by hosting Central Michigan Oct. 7 and Eastern Michigan Oct. 9. at the Ball State Soccer Field.
