Ball State University Athletics
Field Hockey Drops 3-2 Decision to Central Michigan
October 01, 2005 | Field Hockey
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Ball State field hockey team pressured Central Michigan late in Saturday's matchup, but the Chippewas hung on for a 3-2 win at the CMU Field Hockey Complex. The Cardinals' record drops to 1-8 overall and 0-2 in the Mid-American Conference, while the Chippewas improve to 6-5 overall, 3-1 MAC.
CMU's Allyson Doan started the scoring early, with a goal just 1:29 into the game by tipping in a shot from Alicia Balanesi. Balanesi added a helper on the Chippewas' next goal at 31:03, this one -- another tip-in -- was put in by Samantha Sandham.
Ball State junior Lindsay Quay (Macungie, Pa./Emmaus) responded quickly with her fourth goal of the season at 33:35 to cut the lead in half. Quay took a pass from senior Maggie Durbin (St. Louis, Mo./Villa Duchesne) and one-timed it past CMU goalkeeper Danielle Frank into the back of the net. Durbin's helper was her fourth of the season and it was her third consecutive game with an assist.
Chippewa midfielder Amanda Lucik helped CMU open the second half much like it did the first, with a score approximately 90 seconds into the action, this goal at the 36:32 mark. Balanesi added her third assist of the game on Lucik's goal.
BSU sophomore Amanda Pavone (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area) closed the gap with her first career goal at 61:48 on a putback of a rebounded shot by sophomore Lauren Cruz (Centreville, Va./Centreville). Central Michigan clamped down on defense for the final eight minutes to hold onto its one-goal lead and snap a two-game losing streak, including a 2-1 overtime decision against Miami Friday afternoon.
Cardinals' senior goalkeeper Tracy Bannister (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge) stopped a career-high 15 shots during her 70 minutes in net. Bannister's previous best of 14 saves occurred Sept. 3, 2004 at Indiana.
CMU outshot BSU 22-13, with a 15-7 advantage during the first half. The Cardinals finished with a 7-6 edge in penalty corners and stopped 15 shots to the Chippewas' nine.
Ball State will host its annual Parent's Weekend Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8. The Cardinals host Miami Friday at 3 p.m. and new MAC member Missouri State Saturday at 1 p.m.
