Ball State University Athletics
Field Hockey To Take On No. 8 Iowa
October 01, 2014 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State field hockey team (3-6) will hit the road again this weekend to take on No. 8 Iowa (7-2) Friday night at 8 p.m. in Iowa City, Iowa.
Ball State is coming off of a two-loss weekend after posting a 2-0 final against Central Michigan before falling 4-3 in a shootout to Saint Louis. In the opening Mid-American Conference game, the Cardinals registered 11 shots on goal with none getting past the Chippewas' senior Sadie Reynolds. Despite having the advantage of eight penalty corners to the oppositions three, Ball State was unable to capitalize offensively.
Against Saint Louis Sunday, senior Tarel Teach (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes/Beach Premier/Icoyo) was aggressive offensively registering an outstanding nine shots with five on goal for the day. The Cardinals recorded a total of 16 shots on goal to the Billikens' 11, yet dropped a three goal lead in the second half. After two ineffective overtime periods, Ball State went into a six round shootout where match was ultimately concluded on a penalty shot after junior goalkeeper Shelby Henley collided with the Billikens' Lisa Smith.
Henley recorded 9 saves in the series and leads the MAC in goals against average (2.48) and save percentage (0.724). The Novi, Mich. Native is also second in saves per game (7.00) and third in saves (63).
The Cardinals are second in the MAC in goals against average (2.48), goals allowed per game (2.67) and saves per game (7.22). Ball State is also ranked third for scoring margin (-0.83), shots per game (9.78), goals allowed (24), assists (13), assists per game (1.44) and saves (65).
SCOUTING IOWA: Iowa currently holds a 7-2 record in the 2014 season while 3-0 at home. Junior Natalie Cafone leads the team with 14 goals followed by sophomore Stephanie Norlander tallying eight. The young team comes in with 10 freshmen that account for 18 of the team's 154 shots on goal. Goalkeeping duties have been split between sophomore Alexandra Pecora and freshman Katie Jones for a combined 13 goals against, 1.42 goal against average while registering a 0.745 save percentage on 98 shots faced.
SERIES HISTORY: Friday's game marks just the fourth meeting between Ball State and Iowa with the 3-0 advantage to the Hawkeyes. Most recently, the Cardinals fell 6-0 to the Hawkeyes in 2012 in Iowa City, Iowa and 5-2 in Muncie, Ind. in 2011.
Live stats will be available for fans unable to attend Friday's match at the following links:
LIVE STATS: http://www.hawkeyesports.com/gametracker/launch/gt_wfieldh.html?event=1352761
Looking ahead, the Ball State field hockey team will return to action at home Saturday, Oct. 11 against MAC foe Missouri State at noon and Sunday, Oct. 12 against Michigan State at 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State field hockey, check out BallStateSports.com and follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateFH on Twitter.
