Ball State field hockey lost their season finale on Nov. 1, but within 48 hours, they were back out for another practice.
The Cardinals' latest loss came at the mercy of Kent State, who left Briner Sports Complex with a 6-1 victory on a particularly sunny November afternoon. The loss gave Ball State an overall record of 2-16, while going 0-6 in Mid-American Conference play.
Ball State finished last in the MAC, making them ineligible for postseason play, but the Cardinals still came out for another practice with a postseason mentality in mind.
“It’s about setting a culture and a trend,” first-year head coach Sally Northcroft said. “The other teams that made (the MAC Tournament) are still practicing, and together, this is what we want to be doing next year.”
Historically, Ball State field hockey has been successful. The last time they had a winning season was during Northcroft's last season as a player, back in 1999.
Normally, when the season ends and a team isn't eligible for postseason play, they get started on their off-season workouts once more.
Junior forward Lexi Kavanaugh reassured that this is still a Division-I program and doesn’t blame Northcroft for practicing after the postseason.
“I just want this program to get back to who they used to be,” Lexi Kavanaugh said. “I don’t want to be the last in the MAC anymore, we’re starting early [for next season]—we just need to figure out how much we want to win.”
Nov. 1's match was more than just the last game of the season: it was the last game for six seniors who suited up in a Cardinal uniform for the last time.
Cameron Daniels, Bethany Han, Natalie Jardell, Jenna Rosenberry, Bianca Velez and Shelby Henley were honored in a senior day ceremony prior to the match.
“That might have been the most we ever bonded with the seniors,” junior goal keeper Jordan Dues said. “I know me and [Henley] had our moment—we cried a little bit.”
The returning players looked elated to be in each other’s company during warm-ups, with full knowledge that their season would not include the MAC tournament.
Northcroft said the intangibles are important to building a better culture wrapped around Ball State field hockey.
“With every team, building a sense of trust and the enjoyment of being around each other is so vital,” she said.
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