Ball State University
Miami University (OH)
Field Hockey Hosts Miami For Final Weekend of 2020-21 Season
April 22, 2021 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. - - The Ball State field hockey program will get one more opportunity to showcase the progress it has made over the course of the year when it welcomes No. 17 Miami to the Briner Sports Complex for a pair of games to wrap up the 2020-21 regular season. The teams are slated to play both Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m.
The two-game series will be a great test for the Cardinals who enter its final weekend of play with an 6-8 overall record, including a 4-6 mark in Mid-American Conference play. That is because the RedHawks are 11-1 (8-0 MAC) and clinched their fourth consecutive MAC regular season championship last week a pair of home wins over Appalachian State.
This will not be the first meeting between the two clubs this year, however, as Ball State and Miami opened the season with a non-conference showdown at the Miami Field Hockey Complex on March 2.
While the Cardinals ultimately lost the contest 2-1 on a Miami goal in the final seconds of regulation, it was a great battle against the RedHawks who have only surrendered five goals in conference play. In fact, Miami has only played two one-goal games in MAC action this season.
Ball State will look to get an emotional lift heading into Friday's contest when it pays tribute to its six-member the 2020-21 season class prior to the start of the game. Ball State's senior class includes: goalie Grace Chavez (Norfolk, Va./Matthew Fontaine), forward Abby Ferenczy (Williamsville, N.Y./South), forward Sierra Jefferson (Bethlehem, Penn./Arthur L Johnson), midfielder Jenna McKune (Louisville, Ky./Assumption), defender Rachel Pereira (Howick, South Africa, St. Anne's Diocean College) and defender Audrey Tabor (Louisville, Ky./Sacred Heart Academy).
With no general public attendance at Ball State field hockey games this spring due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and resulting department of health guidance, Ball State field hockey is excited to offer a LIVE STREAM of Friday's senior ceremony as part of Ball State Sports Link's coverage of this weekend's action.
Click here to watch the live stream, or visit the Ball State field hockey schedule page for GameDay links.
Overall, Friday's contest will mark the 72nd meeting all-time between the Cardinals and the RedHawks, with Miami leading the all-time series 46-25. Ball State's senior class will look to go out with a bang, as it looks to snap a 15-game losing streak to the four-time defending MAC regular season championships.
Head Coach Stephanie Bernthal on her seniors:Â
"It's been an incredible journey for this senior group. They've faced every challenge a student-athlete could in their time here at Ball State and they've championed them all. Being a part of this Ball State Field Hockey tradition is not an "easy" road – when we came in during these girls' freshmen years, we had a lot of work to do as a group.
"It's one thing to walk into success, any of us can do that, it's another thing to build it with hard work every day. That is a true test and few could walk that road like this group has. Our coaching staff called them to find a new level of mental toughness, to love each other above themselves, and to show that love by serving & sacrificing infinitely.
"They embraced those values and have made them benchmarks of our team culture. As a result, we know we all have a special bond that is lasting, far beyond this field and these years at Ball State. They have also worked, as a group and individually, with an intensity that is rare to find. The product is on display in the new heights of this program academically and on this turf each day – this team has been playing better hockey every single day.
"These seniors have forever changed the trajectory of this program, the lives of all of us who get to share this field with them every day, and have renewed the pursuit of championships at Ball State. It's not just a dream, it's within reach for this Ball State team due to their hard work, and building a foundation the right way. No short cuts. No easy days. No "stars" – a true family and team.
"You can ask any of them, they wouldn't have it any other way. There will be a day we raise a trophy, and we will come back to thank these guys for the foundation they set for us to do it. Thank you, every one of you, for always putting this team first, and for being family today and forever. Thank you parents, for your tireless support as your daughters pushed themselves to the limit daily here. We love you and we honor you this weekend!"
