Ball State University
Longwood
Field Hockey Falls 2-1 Against Longwood
October 18, 2009 | Field Hockey
Ball State dominated on the offensive statistics posting 24 shots, including 15 in the second period, to Longwood's nine. They also doubled the Lacers' shots on goal but could not come away with the lead.
The Cardinals fired away early, logging nine shots to five in the first period. They also led six penalty corner opportunities to one before the end of the first 35 minutes. However, the Lancers managed to earn three more penalty corner opportunities with no time on the clock before halftime due to Ball State penalties. Despite all efforts, both teams remained scoreless before the half.
With just four shots, the Lancers took control in the second period, and found the back of the net off a penalty corner opportunity five minutes in. Less than ten minutes later, Longwood earned another goal off a fast break for a 2-0 lead.
Ball State tried to capitalize on a "power play" opportunity when a yellow card was issued to Longwood's first goal scorer Kelsey Turner with 20 minutes remaining in regulation. Despite being unable to score during that time, Ball State gave itself a chance as Leann Carroll scored on a penalty stroke late in the game. During the remaining four minutes Ball State kept the ball in Longwood territory, but could not tie the score back up before time ran out, giving the Lancers the 2-1 win.
MacGillivary posted five shots in the game, while Shifflett stopped two of the shots she faced.
ABOUT THE SENIORS: The senior duo of MacGillivary and Shifflett has combined to play in 117 games with 99 career starts in their four years and led the team to the MAC Tournament Finals in 2006.
A four-year letterwinner at Ball State, MacGillivary has started 48 games since joining the Cardinals and has tallied 22 goals and 6 assists for a total of 50 points. She recorded 15 goals as a sophomore, earning All-MAC First Team honors, as well as MAC Player of the Week honors three times that year. She also earned All-MAC Second Team honors as a junior. This season, she is tied for first on the team with five goals. MacGillivary has also been successful off the field with back-to-back Academic All-MAC accolades. She is also on her way to becoming a four-year member of the NFHCA National Academic Squad. Brooke plans to graduate in May 2010 with an exercise science degree and wants to go to graduate school for physical therapy.
A four-year letter-winner, Shifflett has started every game since she was a sophomore and has accumulated 364 saves in 3,541 minutes of action, including double-digit saves 13 times. Her 364 career saves ranks her fourth all-time at the university. She also holds the fourth most saves in a single-season at 149 which she recorded in 2007. That same year she also earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors and earned a career-high 17 saves in the season-opening win against Villanova in her first year as a starter. She currently leads the MAC with 95 saves. Shifflett is also the 2008 recipient of the Edith A. Patton Memorial Scholarship given to those who demonstrate a commitment to the defensive aspects of the game.
UP NEXT: The Cardinals (3-12, 1-6 in the Mid-American Conference) finish out the 2009 season with three games on the road before hosting the MAC Tournament November 5-7. Ball State heads to Missouri State Noon (CT) Saturday, October 24 before traveling to Ohio 1 p.m. Saturday, October 31. The following day the Cardinals are scheduled to play at Kent State 1 p.m. Sunday, November 1.
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