Ball State University
Rutgers University
Field Hockey Opens Season On The Road Saturday
August 29, 2019 | Field Hockey
Game No. 1Â Ball State at Rutgers (Bauer Track/Field Hockey Complex)
Saturday, Aug. 31 (1 p.m.)
Piscataway, N.J.
Game No. 2 Ball State vs. Davidson (Neutral Site/Fred P. Rullo Stadium)
Sunday, Sept. 1 (12 p.m.)
Newark, Delaware
 MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State field hockey team will officially open its season this weekend with two games on the East Coast, traveling to Big Ten foe Rutgers on Saturday for a 1 p.m. start and then closing out Labor Day weekend action with a neutral site game Sunday at noon against Davidson at the University of Delaware.
 "We have a great opportunity ahead of us this weekend," Ball State field hockey coach Stephanie Bernthal said. "Rutgers and Davidson are quality opponents who will each challenge us in different ways. I look forward to seeing how the team rises to the challenge of this opening weekend."
 Rutgers owns an all-time record of 4-1 over Ball State. The Cardinals' lone win over the Scarlet Knights came in 2000, when Ball State defeated Rutgers in overtime by a score of 4-3 at a neutral site. The last time the two programs met was in 2015, 4-0 Rutgers win.
 The Cardinals have found success against Davidson in their last five meetings with Ball State leading 4-1. The last time the two schools' met was on Aug. 28, 2016 in Davidson, N.C., Ball State won that game in double overtime, 2-1.
 The Cardinals took to the field for the first time this year last Friday for a scrimmage at home against Indiana. Bernthal was pleased with her team's efforts defensively against the Hoosiers. Redshirt senior Michelle Shampton scored the lone goal for the Cardinals in the second period at the 42:58 mark.Â
 After this weekend, Ball State will play a neutral site game against UC Davis on the campus of Michigan State University on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. The Cardinals then return home Friday, Sept. 6 for their home opener as they host Saint Louis at the Briner Sports Complex beginning at 3 p.m.
 For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State field hockey team, please follow @BallStateSports and @BallStateFH.
