SOCCER: Ball State finally healthy, focused to make move in the MAC

The Ball State soccer team doesn't adjust its game plan based on an opponent's style of play.

Discussing tendencies is as far as the team usually goes in terms of scouting preparation. All the film the Cardinals watch is of them to improve their own game.

Nothing has changed leading up to this Friday's game at Miami of Ohio. Ball State is looking to improve on its 1-1 Mid-American Conference record (6-4-1 overall).

"We're polishing up our restarts among other things," coach Craig Roberts said. "We want to make sure we're locking down the middle [of the field] a little bit more. That's something we weren't so effective with against Western Michigan. We want to be more conscientious about doing a better job there."

With junior co-captain Brigit Reder and freshman Pavla Benyrova back healthy this week, the defense is sewn up enough to move other players back to their original positions.

Roberts said freshmen like Victoria Jacobs, who took Reder's spot as an interior defender against Northern Illinois, Michelle Blok and sophomore Kelsey Shapiro could move into a defensive midfield position to win balls for the team.

On the other side of the ball, fellow junior co-captain Skylar Chew said a new attitude has helped the offense be more creative on the field. This was on full display in Ball State's game against Northern Illinois Sunday when the team won 3-0.

"In the past few weeks, we've really come together as a team attitude wise," Chew said. "Our focus hasn't been on technical things. The attitude change has helped us come out excited and ready to play for the team."

With the recent history against Miami, losses the last two seasons, Chew said what Roberts has reiterated all season. That if Ball State plays its game, the team is confident results will follow.

"Progressing from what happened last Sunday, looking in the past doesn't really matter," Chew said. "We definitely have revenge we want to take on them. Especially since last time we were at their place, we lost 8-0. But we don't want to focus on the past because we are a new team this year."

 "I think the MAC is up for grabs and we are ready to take it."