Ball State University
La Salle
Field Hockey Suffers Setback Sunday At La Salle
August 26, 2007 | Field Hockey
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- A day after opening its season with a win at Villanova, the Ball State field hockey team struggled Sunday on the road against another Pennsylvania school. The Cardinals continued their non-conference slate by dropping a 3-0 decision at La Salle.
The teams had a relatively even number of scoring opportunities in the game. Both squads totaled 10 shots, with La Salle (2-0) recording seven shots on goal to six for Ball State (1-1). But it was the Explorers who made the most of their chances.
La Salle broke open a scoreless tie in the first half at the 23:40 mark when Jess Menge scored off a Colleen Lechner assist. Lechner later added a goal of her own in the early minutes of the second half to extend La Salle's advantage to 2-0. Kara Harpel followed with an Explorer goal at the 44:05 mark to finish off the scoring.
"We got caught not making changes and not adapting to some of the things they were doing," Ball State coach Annette Payne said. "It was just a constant struggle today."
Jess Woodward led Ball State offensively with three shots, including two on goal. Casey Hunsicker also logged two shots on goal in the loss.
La Salle goalkeeper Ellen Axelsen saved all six shots she faced. Ball State keeper Tiffany Shifflett recorded four saves.
After a split of their season-opening weekend, the Cardinals now return to Muncie for their home opener. Ball State will play host to Louisville Friday at 3 p.m. at BSU Turf Field.
