Ball State University
Villanova
MacGillivary's OT Goal Lifts Field Hockey Over Villanova
August 25, 2007 | Field Hockey
VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Ball State field hockey team started its season off right Saturday with a 3-2 overtime victory on the road at Big East opponent Villanova.
Sophomore forward Brooke MacGillivary scored two goals in the Cardinal win, including the game winner less than eight minutes into the overtime period.
On the game-winning play, Ball State (1-0) broke out of the backfield and senior forward Katie Kloeckener fired a pass to MacGillivary, who took the ball and went one-on-one with Villanova goalkeeper Maura McCormick. MacGillivary won the battle, placing the ball right over McCormick to secure the Ball State victory.
"Brooke had an awesome opportunity, and she did a magnificent job of finishing the game off," Ball State coach Annette Payne said. "I'm really proud of this whole team. They worked hard for this, and they deserve it."
Villanova (0-1) out-shot Ball State 25-13 and recorded 19 shots on goal to the Cardinals' eight, but Ball State made the most of its offensive chances, and Cardinal goalkeeper Tiffany Shifflett held the Wildcats at bay.
The sophomore keeper, making her first collegiate start, turned away 17 of the 19 shots she faced. Shifflett shut out Villanova -- which entered the contest receiving votes in the STX/NFHCA Preseason Poll -- in the first half. After allowing two goals early in the second half, she stonewalled the Wildcats the rest of the way.
"A lot of people really stepped up today, and they all deserve credit," Payne said. "Tiffany Shifflett came up with some great saves for us today."
Shifflett and the Cardinals played with a lead throughout much of the first half after MacGillivary's first goal of the day at the 14:02 mark. Senior midfielder Lauren Cruz found MacGillivary with a pass in front of the net, and MacGillivary connected to give Ball State a 1-0 advantage. The goal proved to be the only one either team could manage in the opening half.
Villanova responded six minutes into the second half when Lauren Wuzzardo took a pass from Stephanie Campbell and scored to knot the game 1-1. The Wildcats struck again five minutes later on an unassisted goal by Meredith Sabatini to take a 2-1 lead.
Villanova held onto its advantage for less than seven minutes before Ball State junior forward Casey Hunsicker drew the Cardinals even at 2-2. Hunsicker took a Villanova turnover and capitalized, finding the back of the cage at the 53:32 mark.
Both teams went scoreless for the remainder of regulation, setting the stage for MacGillivary's game-winner in overtime.
Villanova's Campbell led all players with six shots, including five on goal. Hunsicker led Ball State with five shots, followed by MacGillivary, who tallied four shots with all of them coming on goal.
The Cardinals return to action Sunday at La Salle and will look to build on their season-opening victory. Sunday's game is slated to start at noon.
