After getting its second win of the season Sept. 6, Ball State Field Hockey (2-7, 0-1 MAC) have now dropped its last five games following a loss to No. 23 Michigan State (5-3, 0-0 Big 10), 3-1.
The game was a defensive battle until the end of the second quarter when Michigan State’s Aisha Osinga scored in minute 28 of the game for a 1-0 Spartan lead. This was followed by another Michigan State goal from Meredith Ross a minute later.
Entering the third quarter, the Spartans added one more goal from a shot by Lia Sinisi. As a response, Ball State redshirt junior midfielder Rachel Pereira scored off a corner play to make the score 3-1, however, this was not enough as the Cardinals did not score again in the fourth quarter. Despite only having one goal on the day, head coach Stephanie Brenthal said the team is not deterred by the loss.
“Pereira’s goal was a team effort,” Brenthal said. “The corner play was strong application of our game plan.”
Brenthal said that the team’s record is not representative of its abilities. Of the Cardinals' last five games, three finishes were only lost by a goal.
“We play top 25 teams, and this is a difficult schedule,” Brenthal said. “It tests you and exposes you and is necessary for us to get to the greatness of our program. There is more that is happening — good things that are lightyears beyond last year. We are confident in the direction that they are moving.”
Ball State now looks ahead to next Saturday as it returns home to play Central Michigan. Brenthal said her team is motivated and ready to compete.
“We are unified and will continue to battle,” Brenthal said. “We are prepared to get it against Central Michigan.”
Contact Zander Lichosik with any comments at zglichosik@bsu.edu or on Twitter @Lichosik_BSU.
Read More
Ball State ends regular season on a loss, eyes next weekend’s MAC tournament
By Daniel Kehn / 32 minutes agoBall State Women’s Volleyball (20-9, 15-5 MAC) was unbeaten in 10 matches — even winning 28 consecutive sets. Western Michigan (17-12, 13-5) ended both streaks at Worthen Arena.
Ball State women’s basketball defeats UNI on the road
By Staff Reports / 5 hours agoBall State defeated UNI 76-70 in Saturday's road contest.
Life without my father highlighted the importance of role models in my life
By Zach Carter / 7 hours agoI don’t know if my dad knows what I’m up to or if he knows where my life is going. I’m not going to hypothesize about what happens after death, but I hope he knows I miss him every day.
