Ball State University
(2-12 (0-2MAC))
Bellarmine
(7-4 (1-2ECAC))
Field Hockey Dominates In 7-1 Win Over Bellarmine
October 11, 2015 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State (2-12, 0-2 MAC) field hockey team was a dominate force when they welcomed non-conference opponent Bellarmine (7-4, 1-2 ECAC) Sunday afternoon and posted a 7-1 victory making it the Cardinals second win at home this season. Feeding off the power of pink socks worn by players and pink goalkeeper jerseys in honor of breast cancer awareness in the team's annual Pink Game, Ball State's scoring lineup featured seven goals from six different players.
“I think this was an absolute necessity for us. We felt good in terms of knowing we can execute and anyone who is in the right position can finish,” Ball State field hockey head coach Sally Northcroft said. “I loved seeing the girls on the sideline getting so excited to see their teammates score. That means a lot to me because it doesn't matter who it is that actually puts the ball in the back of the net, rather it's a team effort. It's a nice feeling to bottle.”
Putting Ball State up on the board early was leading scorer, junior Lexi Kavanaugh (Sherrill, N.Y./Vernon Verona Sherrill) in the fourth minute off a penalty corner opportunity, making it her seventh of the season. After marking the assist on Kavanaugh's goal, redshirt senior Bianca Velez (Virginia Beach, Va./Floyd E. Kellum/Beach Premiere) slid one into the back of the net when she received a pass from outside the circle and was wide open straight out from the cage, giving the Cardinals a two goal lead just 18 minutes in.
Redshirt sophomore Merinda Morley (University City, Mo./University City) then notched back-to-back goals in the 46th and 56th minutes, both off of penalty corner opportunities, improving her season total to three goals and one assist.
Ball State then displayed three new goal-scorers, including freshman Beth Barnes (Fredericksburg, Va./Mountain View) who received a pass from the far side across the circle and tucked the ball in the lower left corner of the cage to tally her first collegiate career goal. Just two minutes later in the 65th minute, junior Morgan Nash (Houston, Texas/Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart) earned her first of the season when she nailed the back of the net after taking a shot through heavy traffic out at the edge of the circle. In quick succession, sophomore Abbey Main (West Chester, Ohio (Ursuline Academy) punched in her first goal of the season just one minute later, with a rebound goal off a penalty corner opportunity to close out the Cardinals offensive strike.
“The thing I loved the most is that we kept getting better and better. We used our teammates and we were working for each other and getting open for the passing game, which is something we've been working on all season long,” Northcroft went on. “To see that come to fruition and to see them trusting and believe that it does actually work was exciting, and I was happy to see them continue to work under pressure. And like I said to the team, while putting people into different positions and rotating in and out, we still managed to keep the pressure on. I think that's a really big testament to their work ethic and their belief in the system.”
The intensity of the matchup continued when Bellarmine earned a penalty corner just as the clock hit zero. The Knights' Amanda Jaworski was successful and scored to make the final 7-1, in favor of Ball State.
Goalkeeping duties were split into 35 minute increments, as junior Jordan Dues (Fallbrook, Calif./Fallbrook) suited up to make her 14th start of the season, although senior Shelby Henley (Novi, Mich./Novi) came in after halftime to tend the net. Dues registered four saves and a 1.000 save percentage, while Henley earned one save on two shots faced in her first appearance of the season.
While there was a slight 8-7 advantage for Ball State in penalty corner opportunities, the Cardinals were able to capitalize off the advantage and score four goals, while the Knights only earned one.
Overall, the Cardinals posted 18 attempted shots, landing 12 on net, and Bellarmine marked eight shots with six on net. The seven goals scored off those 18 attempted shots are also the most Ball State has pocketed since the Sept. 16, 2012 8-2 victory over Lindenwood.
“This feeling is something we really need to take with us to practice and into our next games, believing that no matter who we play, that we can make things happen,” Northcroft said. “So I think it was really fantastic timing for us, in terms of being able to execute and knowing that we can get this win and win convincingly, and understanding that it is just everyone doing their part is what makes the difference.”
Up next, the Ball State field hockey team will hit the road for the final time this season to take on Ohio in Mid-American Conference play on Oct. 16. The evening feature is slated for a 7 p.m. start in Athens, Ohio.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State field hockey, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateFH on Twitter.
Team Stats
KAVANAUGH, Lexi (7)
Assisted By: VELEZ, Bianca
Off a penalty corner
4:37
VELEZ, Bianca (2)
passed in outside circle, shot center, 4
18:40
MORLEY, Merinda (2)
Assisted By: KAVANAUGH, Lexi
Off a penalty corner
46:32
MORLEY, Merinda (3)
Assisted By: BARNES, Bryce , HAN, Bethany
Off a penalty corner
56:48
BARNES, Beth (1)
Assisted By: MAIN, Abbey
Passed across circle from far side, shot
62:33
NASH, Morgan (1)
Shot through traffic from edge of the ci
64:50
MAIN, Abbey (1)
Assisted By: NASH, Morgan , HAN, Bethany
Off penalty corner rebound
65:48
Amanda Jaworski (1)
Assisted By: Lillie Nitzken , Alex Ginter
Off a penalty corner
70:00
