Ball State University
Ohio State University
FH Hosts Ohio State Friday in Season Opener; Takes on Bellarmine Sunday
August 26, 2021 | Field Hockey
The Mid-American Conference also announced today the 2021 MAC Field Hockey preseason poll
MUNCIE, Ind. - For the first time since the 2016 season, the Ball State field hockey team will welcome back Big Ten foe Ohio State to the Briner Sports Complex for their season opener Friday at 1 p.m. ET.
The Cardinals close out its two-game weekend Sunday at 5 p.m. ET, when it battles Bellarmine at Louisville's Trager Stadium.Â
Ball State has not played Ohio State since the 2018 season in Columbus resulting in 6-0 setback for BSU. In 2016 when Ohio State last played in Muncie, the Buckeyes won that battle by a score of 3-0. Ball State's last victory over Ohio State came Sept. 18, 2007 by a 2-1 decision in Muncie.Â
Sunday's neutral-site game against Bellarmine will mark just the fifth meeting between the two teams with the Cardinals leading the all-time series 4-0. All four previous meetings have been in Muncie — a 3-0 BSU victory on Oct. 10, 2012, a 7-1 Cardinals win on Oct. 11, 2015, a 2-1 OT triumph on April 2, 2021 and a 3-1 take down on April 3, 2021.
Although the Knights have officially joined the Mid-American Conference this season, Sunday's game does not count toward either team's conference record. The first league meeting will take place at Briner Sports complex on Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. ET.Â
In other news, the league office announced its 2021 MAC Field Hockey preseason poll which anticipates the Cardinals finishing fourth overall while also receiving one vote to win the MAC Tournament title. Â
