Field Hockey To Host Longwood University on Senior Day

Ball State vs. Longwood University
Where: Briner Sports Complex (Muncie, Ind.)
Time: 1 p.m. ET
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***Concessions will be on site at the Briner Sports Complex for every home field hockey game for your refreshment needs. No outside food or beverage is permitted inside the Briner Sports Complex. As a friendly reminder, pets are also not permitted inside the confines of the Briner Sports Complex.

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State field hockey team (2-14, 2-3 MAC) will end its regular season Saturday at 1 p.m. when it hosts Longwood University (8-6, 3-2 MAC) in Mid-American Conference action at the Briner Sports Complex.

The Cardinals will also celebrate Senior Day, honoring three seniors, Beth Barnes, Darbi Gullett and Anya Eicher in a ceremony prior to the game.

Ball State returns to the Briner Sports Complex for the first time since Oct. 5. The Cardinals last played at home against Ohio University, a 3-2 double overtime win. Redshirt sophomore Rachel Pereira scored the game-winning goal in double OT.

Last week, the Cardinals wrapped up their non-conference action with a loss at No. 17 Northwestern. Ball State faced six nationally ranked opponents this year and is the only MAC school besides Kent State to face that many ranked opponents.

Longwood is coming off a 2-1 loss at Georgetown last Sunday. The Lancers have defeated Appalachian State (4-3), Central Michigan (3-0) and Ohio (4-3) in MAC play this year. The Cardinals fell to the Lancers last season by a score of 3-0. Ball State last defeated Longwood in 2016 by a 2-1 decision in Muncie.

After Saturday, Ball State will compete at the 2018 MAC Tournament (Oct. 31-Nov. 3) in Oxford, Ohio, hosted by Miami University. If the tournament started today, the Cardinals would be the No. 5 seed and would take on No. 4 Ohio Thursday, Nov. 1.

For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State field hockey team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateFH.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH STEPHANIE BERNTHAL
ON DARBI GULLETT:
"I remember watching Darbi play as a young athlete years ago on the recruiting trails. She was this feisty, creative little player who always seemed to be making things happen for her team. She has been that same steady force for Ball State Field Hockey. When Darbi went down with a knee injury late last spring, I brought up some conservative options for what her senior year could look like. Darbi immediately stated that she wanted to be fully recovered and playing by October of her senior season, a very ambitious timeline considering her injury. She worked tirelessly to rehab and took on the role of sideline encourager for the team all spring. As we talk about so much in this program, life throws difficult things our way and so does field hockey. Darbi has shown the true spirit of a competitor in taking something extremely difficult and using it to become a more mature leader, stronger woman, and better teammate. We are so proud of her and the tone she has set for the future of this program."

ON BETH BARNES:
"Beth has shown an amazing transformation over these past few months. She has become a consistent force daily in the practice environment, pushing her fitness so that she could be an on-field leader in our midfield. Beth has also grown off the field: She has a fun personality that loosens our team up and she is gifted in building relationships. As a new coaching staff, you never take for granted having leaders buy-in to new expectations for culture. Beth has had patience in the building process while bringing the urgency that a wise senior can. She reminds the team often to seize the day and not waste a moment, because they are precious and numbered on any team. This is a legacy that she will certainly leave for the future of our program."

ON ANYA EICHER:
"Anya is one of those very special women whose gifts are far and wide. She is the prototypical enforcer in the backfield: smart, reliable, strong, and constantly picking everyone up. Her voice can be heard commanding the field at any given moment. Yet what is so neat about Anya is for how strong she is, she is equally if not more gracious. She is the first person to pick up a piece of trash, ask to help with something, or to give a kind word of encouragement. Every so often as a coach, you encounter a young woman whose character inspires you to be a more gracious, serving leader. Anya is one of those people. Her selfless spirit will be admired in this program long after she hangs up her jersey. It will be a foundation that we will build upon for years to come."

ON THE WHOLE SENIOR CLASS:
"I am so grateful for the service and commitment of our senior class. The first day I met this Ball State team I told the girls I saw a strength in them that is going to shock the country someday. The adversity they have faced has made this group tough and very hungry for success. I give so much credit to our senior class because difficulty causes many people to become lukewarm or self-centered, but this group has embraced change and led the charge of serving and elevating our program daily. That goes so far beyond results on the scoreboard. Every moment for the rest of the season, we get the privilege of battling to keep putting that Cardinal jersey on for this incredible group of three. There is nothing more exciting than that!"

Field Hockey To Host Longwood University on Senior Day

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Players Mentioned

Beth Barnes

Anya Eicher

Darbi Gullett

Rachel Pereira