Ball State University Athletics
Soccer Team Back to Business as Practice Opens
August 04, 2016 | Soccer
The Ball State soccer team returned to campus this week and held its first practice Wednesday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex.
Coming off a Mid-American Conference regular season championship last fall, the Cardinals have their sights set high again this year. The team returns 14 letterwinners, highlighted by All-MAC defenders Leah Mattingly and Lorina White and All-MAC goalkeeper Alyssa Heintschel.
But the Cardinals also welcome 10 newcomers, including some international flavor. The incoming crop includes players from as close as central Indiana and as far away as Sweden, Spain and Switzerland.
The challenge during the two weeks of preseason camp is to get everyone on the same page as the team seeks another championship and more. Fans will get their first look at the Cardinals in an Aug. 14 exhibition against Marshall. The season opener comes five days later against Eastern Kentucky.
Joel Godett caught up with Heintschel, Mattingly and head coach Craig Roberts on the opening day of practice to talk about their mindset heading into the new season.
