Classes are back in session at Ball State, which means Cardinal sports are underway. Here’s what you may have missed in athletics over the weekend.
Thursday
- The NCAA announced former Ball State soccer player Alyssa Heintschel was nominated by the Mid-American Conference for the 2018 NCAA Women of the Year award. Heintschel allowed only eight goals in 12 games as the Cardinals’ goalkeeper her senior year. She graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and will begin medical school at Oakland University this fall. Heintschel is one of 154 nominees of the original 581 female student-athletes nominated for the award. The list will be narrowed to 30 candidates in early October.
Friday
- Ball State women’s volleyball dominated Indianapolis three games to none in a home exhibition match. Nine different Cardinals recorded at least two kills. With multiple returners and an aggressive offensive attack, Ball State is looking to have a solid season, said head coach Kelli Miller.
“From point one of the game, the hitters swung with intent,” Miller said. “They came out strong from the get-go, and you could see the confidence building up as the match went on. This team just has a different kind of fire in their eye, and they are on a mission to be the best versions of themselves.”
- Soccer started its season off taking down Purdue Fort Wayne 2-1 on the road in the pouring rain. Just over 11 minutes in, the contest was stopped due to a lightning delay that lasted over an hour. Allison Abbe and Tatiana Mason tallied goals for the Cardinals after the delay. Ball State shot 20 times and had 10 shots on goal throughout the match.
"The weather conditions really impacted the game and turned it into a scrap and a fight, but I felt we rose to the occasion," said head coach Craig Roberts. "The players responded well and fought hard through adversity to get a win. Hats off to PFW and their fight, but I was proud of our girls for finding a way to get a victory."
- Ball State football’s meeting was interrupted by a surprise Facetime call from former Cardinal offensive lineman Jason Whitlock. Whitlock talked about several former football greats from the Ball State program who were not heavily recruited. Afterwards, he mentioned how these players remind him of redshirt-sophomore fullback Cody Rudy, a walk-on who “has proven he is worthy of a scholarship.” The team mobbed Rudy as it became clear he would be on scholarship.
Saturday
- Field hockey saw its first action of the year in a scrimmage at Indiana University. Goals were hard to come by early on, as it remained scoreless in the opening minutes. IU got the scoring started with a pair of goals. Ball State answered with goals from Rachel Pereira and Arantxa Rosainz Calcoa, but would eventually fall 6-2.
“We implemented a lot of concepts from our preseason work,” said first-year head coach Stephanie Bernthal. “We capitalized in key moments, which started with the team's commitment to working hard every moment of preseason. We have lots to build on and look forward to getting back to practice."
- Ball State Athletics hosted its annual Fall Fan Jam at Scheumann Stadium to kick off the 2018 sports schedule. The free event was open to faculty, staff, students, alums and Muncie community members. Participants were welcomed with food and drinks, autographed Ball State athletic posters and photo opportunities. Kids could be found running through football drills, playing volleyball, trying to score goals on Cardinal soccer players and smiling alongside Charlie Cardinal.
Contact Zach Piatt with comments at zapiatt@bsu.edu or on Twitter @zachpiatt13.
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