Ball State University Athletics
Field Hockey Opens MAC Season At Miami Wednesday
September 15, 2009 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State field hockey team (2-3 overall) faces Miami to open Mid-American Conference play 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 16. Ball State will also take on No. 17 Indiana 1 p.m. Saturday, September 19 to conclude a seven-game road stretch.
2009 CONFERENCE PLAY: After wrapping up the 2008 season with a 1-9 conference record, closing with a loss to Central Michigan in the first round of the MAC Tournament, returning All-MAC Second Team selection Brooke MacGillivary and the Cardinals look to build on last year a more experienced team. Historically, the Cardinals are 19-8 in their conference openers.
ABOUT MIAMI: The RedHawks finished the 2008 season with a 14-7 record, losing in the MAC Tournament Semifinals to Ohio. The 14 wins tied the school record for the most victories in a season with the 1983 team. Miami gave Ball State two losses last year with a combined score of 8-1. However, the Cardinals look to redeem themselves as the RedHawks boast a young squad, two-thirds of which are underclassmen.
Miami currently owns a 1-4 record, including a loss to No. 6 Virginia. The RedHawks found their first victory in their home conference opener against Central Michigan 3-1. Senior Mary Hull leads the team with three goals. First Team All-MAC sister-duo Christine and Katie Brightwell are right behind her with a goal apiece while combining for three assists.
ABOUT INDIANA: In last season's matchup, the Cardinals dropped a 2-0 decision against the non-conference opponent Indiana. The Hoosiers finished the 2008 schedule with a 7-11 overall record (1-5 in the Big Ten Conference). Ball State trails in the all-time series 14-3.
The 17th ranked Hoosiers have started this season with a 4-2 record, falling to Ohio and No. 3 Wake Forest. Leading scorer Alina Valenti has posted four goals, including two game winners, and two assists for 10 points in six games. Morgan Fleetwood is second on the team with three goals and four assists. Nine players have recorded at least one goal for Indiana. Goalkeeper Alex Mann owns a .737 save percentage in all but one period in the cage.
Sunday's matchup against Ball State will be Indiana's home opener.
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