Undefeated, looking to stay that way, Hoosiers take on Ball State Sunday

The 2-0 IU women's soccer team hopes to keep its winning streak alive when the team takes on the Ball State University Cardinals at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Bill Armstrong Stadium.\nAs much as the Hoosiers want to be 3-0 when the weekend is over, getting another win is not the only mission. IU coach Mick Lyon said the team has two priorities.\n"This Sunday is basically two things: build on what we have and win the game," Lyon said.\nNot only does Lyon want to get wins early in the season, he said he also wants to make sure he prepares his team for success later during the conference season, which means getting all of his players on the same level.\nLyon said the Ball State match will be used to play freshmen and to work on his team's style of play.\nHowever, the Hoosiers are still prepared and hoping to bring home another victory.\n"Ball State is a good team, but I'm really confident in the way we have been playing recently," junior goalkeeper Lauren Fabbro said. "We've been working a lot on the shape of our back four (defenders) and just making sure that we're staying tight and tucked in to make sure they can't (get)in behind."\nThe Hoosiers said they believe that continuing to play like they did at the Milwaukee Cup with quick ball movement and strong teamwork is necessary.\n"Well, I think definitely we'll have to play like we played this past weekend," junior midfielder Kristen Zmijewski said, "We've just got to get the ball moving quickly and score some more goals. So far we've been working well as a team and we just have to keep that chemistry going."\nThe scouting report is in, and according to Lyon, the Cardinals like to play a 4-5-1 formation, which puts a lot of players behind the ball for a solid team defense.\n"What they do is they hold opponents and try to frustrate them by putting a lot of players behind the ball, and sit and wait for those last five minutes of the half or the game and then try to spring players forward to catch you on the counter (attack)," Lyon said.\nOffensively, Lyon said that the coaches and players will be watching for Ball State's service of long balls and set plays. Plus, forward Dee Nocero is the Cardinals' top player for the Hoosiers to watch.\nLyon said he plans to counter attack the strong Ball State defense with quick play, waiting patiently for the right scoring opportunities, and attacking the goal from out wide to try to get in behind the defense.\nBoth teams are coming off of two game win streaks, with wins over Detroit and DePaul.\n-- Contact staff writer John Fischer at jbfische@indiana.edu.