Ball State University Athletics
Soccer Announces 2011 Schedule
June 13, 2011 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. - Second-year Ball State soccer head coach Craig Roberts announced a 20-game schedule for the 2011 season Monday afternoon. The schedule includes nine non-conference contests and 11 Mid-American Conference games, along with a preseason exhibition contest.
The 2011 season marks the Cardinals' move to their new home as they will play eight games, seven regular season contests, at the BSU Soccer Field at the Briner Sports Complex. The Briner Sports Complex includes a new soccer facility and an entryway for the soccer, field hockey and track facilities. The $1.7 million project will be known as the Briner Sports Complex to recognize the outstanding contribution of Ken and Peggy Briner, who are longtime loyal fans and contributors to Ball State athletics.
"Our 2011 schedule allows us to compete against a variety of styles of play around the United States," Roberts said. "I believe this schedule will test and prepare our team for conference play. It embraces not only different styles, but teams from numerous conferences. Each opponent has served well in their respective conferences and this will demand a high level of performance from the Ball State soccer team. We are excited with the challenge put ahead of us."
The Cardinals will kick-off the 2011 season with an exhibition contest Aug. 12 against Big East foe Cincinnati in the first game at the BSU Soccer Field at the Briner Sports Complex. Cincinnati is led by former Ball State head coach Michelle Salmon. The Cardinals and Bearcats battled to a 2-2 tie last exhibition season in Cincinnati.
Ball State opens the regular season Aug. 19-21 as it travels to Bowling Green, Ky., to take part in the WKU Tournament. The Cardinals open the season against Murray State before wrapping up the weekend against tournament host Western Kentucky.
Ball State opens the home portion of the regular season Aug. 26 when it hosts Big Ten foe and 2010 NCAA Tournament participant Illinois. The contest marks the first every trip for the Fighting Illini to Muncie and just the second visit all-time by a Big Ten opponent (Purdue, 11/1/03).
The Cardinals hit the road for four straight games travelling to Indiana State (Sept. 2) and Xavier (Sept. 4) before a trip to Flagstaff, Ariz., for the NAU Tournament Sept. 9-11. This marks the Cardinals' second all-time visit to Flagstaff as they took part in the tournament during the 2006 season. Ball State will face host Northern Arizona and Lamar on the weekend.
After closing out the non-conference portion of the schedule at home against Marshall (Sept. 16) and at IPFW (Sept. 18), the Cardinals open league play Sept. 23 at Western Michigan. Ball State hosts league opponents Northern Illinois (Sept. 25), Akron (Oct. 7), Ohio (Oct. 9), Buffalo (Oct. 14) and Kent State (Oct. 16). The Cardinals will travel to MAC foes Miami (Sept. 30), Bowling Green (Oct. 2), Eastern Michigan (Oct. 21), Central Michigan (Oct. 23) and Toledo (Oct. 27).
The 2011 MAC Tournament opens with quarterfinal play October 30 before semifinals and finals action Nov. 5 and 7, respectively. As always, the MAC Tournament quarterfinals will be held on campus sites while the semifinals and finals are held at the highest remaining seed.
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