Ball State University Athletics
Cards Field Hockey Heads To Northwestern
September 19, 2014 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State field hockey team (3-3) are back on the road again this weekend to take on No. 15 Northwestern (4-3) Sunday afternoon in Evanston, Ill.
Ball State is coming off of a tough 2-0 loss to in-state rival Indiana. In the Cardinals home opening game, junior goalkeeper Shelby Henley (Novi, Mich./Novi) tallied eight saves for a 0.750 save percentage. Henley received assistance from senior Bianca Velez (Virginia Beach, Va./Floyd E. Kellam/Beach Premier) in the second half after she recorded her 14th defensive save.
The Cardinals and the Hoosiers remained scoreless through the first half of the game. Indiana's Audra Heilman secured the game after scoring in the 36th minute off a rebound to score her ninth goal of the season. Sydney Supica closed out the scoring 40 minutes in off of a penalty stroke.
Sunday's match will be Ball State's third straight against a Big Ten team. Junior Bethany Han (Lititz, Pa/Warwick) leads the Ball State offense with three goals while Henley holds a 2.15 goals-against average and a 0.776 save percentage.
The Cardinals lead the Mid-American Conference in scoring margin (0.20) and goals allowed (11). Ball State is ranked second in scoring average (2.38), goals against average (2.18), goals scored (12), goals scored per game (2.40), goals allowed per game (2.20), assists (12), assists per game (2.40) and saves per game (7.60).
SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN: Northwestern currently holds a 4-3 record in the 2014 season. Offensively the Wildcats are dominant with help from sophomore Isabel Flens (six goals), junior Caroline Troncelliti (five goals) and sophomore Dominique Masters (four goals). Northwestern has been solid defensively as well, allowing just 12 goals in their seven games with senior Maddy Carpenter in net. Northwestern has won 16 of its last 17 matches on their home turf. The lone loss was the team's most recent home game against No. 15 Louisville.
SERIES HISTORY: Sunday's game marks the 28th meeting between Ball State and Northwestern with the 18-7-2 advantage to the Wildcats. Northwestern has won the last nine meetings between the two schools, including a 3-0 win a year ago on the Ball State Turf Field.
Live stats will be available for fans unable to attend this weekend at the following link:
LIVE STATS: http://www.nusports.com/gametracker/launch/gt_wfieldh.html?event=1349266
The Ball State field hockey team will return home Saturday, Sept. 27 against Central Michigan and Sunday, Sept. 28 against Saint Louis at the Briner Sports Complex, with both games being held 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.
