Ball State University
(1-11)
Virginia Commonwealth
(4-6)
Han And Kavanaugh Continue Scoring Streaks At VCU
October 04, 2015 | Field Hockey
RICHMOND, Va. – The Ball State (1-11, 0-1 MAC) field hockey team continued action on the road when they took on Virginia Commonwealth University (4-6) Sunday afternoon and fell to the Rams 3-2 despite senior Bethany Han (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) tallying a goal for the second game in a row.
The Cardinals and the Rams remained scoreless through just the first 15 minutes, until Ball State's leading scorer Lexi Kavanaugh (Sherrill, N.Y./Vernon Verona Sherrill) opened the scoring off a deflection from a penalty corner shot by Bryce Barnes (Fredericksburg, Va./Mountain View). VCU's Kaylee Maunz responded abruptly in the 17th minute.
Han then scored quickly after halftime, 37 minutes in, making it her second game with an unassisted goal in a row. VCU then closed out the scoring with goals in the 53rd and 60th minutes to finalize the score at 3-2 in favor of the Rams.
"In today's game, I thought we played exceptionally well, and they were passing the ball really well," Ball State field hockey head coach Sally Northcroft said. "I really thought the energy was amazing and the courage was fantastic, so it was gut-wrenching to lose today. We just had a few defensive lapses that unfortunately cost us goals so we just need to learn how to maintain our lead and extend that."
Back in net, junior goalkeeper Jordan Dues (Fallbrook, Calif./Fallbrook) suited up to make her 12th start of the season and recorded five saves when faced with 17 attempted shots.
Virginia Commonwealth's offense continued to test Dues, tallying eight shots on goal from the 17 attempted, compared to the Cardinals 13 attempted shots, landing five on net. Kavanaugh also marked two of the Cardinals five shots on goal, while junior Mikayla Mooney (St. Louis, Mo./Whitfield School) notched two on net as well.
A narrow advantage was held by VCU in penalty corner opportunities, where the Rams benefitted from eight, while Ball State had seven attempts from the top of the circle.
"I think there are some great things that these players are doing and they are so courageous," Northcroft added. "They are working unbelievably hard the whole game and I couldn't really ask for anything more from the team. I'm excited to see what we'll be able to do in the next couple of MAC games so we need to turn around quickly and get ready to play on Friday."
Up next, the Ball State field hockey team rounds out the three-game road stretch, in which they will face Miami in Mid-American Conference play Friday, Oct. 9.
For the most up-to-date news on Ball State field hockey, follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateFH on Twitter.
Team Stats
KAVANAUGH, Lexi
Assisted By: BARNES, Bryce
off corner, shot by 1, deflected by 7
15:01
MAUNZ, Kaylee
Assisted By: ROGERS, Colleen
give and go after long feed from 13
17:13
HAN, Bethany
GOAL by BSU HAN, Bethany.
37:21
ROGERS, Colleen
Assisted By: FARINO, Kendall
GOAL by VCU ROGERS, Colleen, Assist by FARINO, Kendall.
53:50
TOSSONE, Spencer
Assisted By: SCOTT, Taleah
off corner, deflected shot
60:51
