Ball State University Athletics
Field Hockey Falls to Missouri State, 4-2
September 22, 2012 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State field hockey opened up the 2012 MAC season with a 4-2 loss at the hands of Missouri State, Saturday afternoon at the BSU Turf Field at the Briner Sports Complex. Red-shirt freshman Bianca Velez (Virginia Beach, Va./Floyd E. Kellam) and freshman Allie White (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) both scored goals for the Cardinals in front of its alumni.
"It was wonderful to have our supportive alumni in attendance," said head coach Beth Maddox. "This was a game that we should have won, but we just didn't show up and execute what we do in practice."
Defense was on display for much of the first half, with the Bears getting on the board first in the 22nd minute. Velez was able to notch a goal for the Cardinals in the 34 minute off a penalty corner, getting an assist from sophomore Leanne Goldblatt (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Lakeland).
Missouri State scored back to-back-goals in the 40th and 44th minute to lead 3-1. White then put together a sequence to get Ball State a goal.
"Before I scored, Devon [Bell] and I looked at each other and said we were going to help each other get a goal," said White. "She hit a shot that bounced off the goalie's pads and I was able to put in a goal off of the deflection."
The Bears put in another goal at the 59th minute to take the win. They were led by Hillary Lawless, who notched two goals off six shots.
Freshman Maddi Elliott (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart) took the loss for the Cardinals, making four saves and having three goals scored against her. Classmate Shelby Henley (Novi, Mich./Novi) made six saves in the first half and allowed one goal.
The Cardinals are back in action Sunday as they take on the Saint Louis Billikens at noon. You can keep up with all the action by following @BallStFHockey on Twitter, liking "Ball State Field Hockey" on Facebook and checking ballstatesports.com.
