Four Different Cardinals Score as Field Hockey Downs Villanova, 4-3

Sunday, September 4

Muncie, Ind.

12 pm

Ball State University

(2-1)

Villanova University

(3-1)

Villanova

Ball State

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Four Different Cardinals Score as Field Hockey Downs Villanova, 4-3

September 04, 2022 | Field Hockey

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. - Michaela Graney, Kerrianne McClay, Angel Nkosi and Fleur Knopert each scored a goal for the Cardinals as Ball State downed Big East foe Villanova by a score of 4-3, handing the Wildcats their first loss of the season.

The Cardinals (2-1) turned in another dominating effort against the Wildcats (3-1) Sunday afternoon at the Briner Sports Complex both offensively and defensively.

"Our main focus was to come out strong and play the entire 60 minutes," Ball State head field hockey coach Caitlin Walsh said. "We did exactly that. It was such a great team win and it showed with 4 different goal scorers. I am extremely proud of our team's performance today."

Graney scored first with just a little over one minute into the first quarter, with her goal assisted by Libby Kraus. Just four minutes later, Ball State's McClay capitalized on the Cardinals' first penalty corner and found the back of the cage off the assists from Kraus and Emma Hilton.

With the score 2-0 in favor of Ball State, Nkosi scored unassisted at the 16:52 mark to put the Cardinals up by three. Shortly after, Villanova finally got on the board with just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half.

The Wildcats struck again right before intermission, but the Cardinals still took a 3-2 lead with them into the locker room at the half.

Ball State wasted no time at the start of the third period as Knopert scored her third goal of the season off the assist from Rachel Bohn to give the Cardinals a two-goal lead over the Wildcats.

Villanova scored one more time in the final period, but the Cardinals defense was unmatched the remainder of the contest. Despite the Wildcats efforts, Ball State was able to hold on to a 4-3 victory.

Senior goalkeeper Ally Butler registered 13 saves off Villanova's 23 shots to earn her first win of the season.

The Ball State field hockey team continues non-conference action when it travels to Indiana (Sept. 9) and Saint Louis (Sept. 11) next weekend. The game against the Hoosiers begins at 3 pm ET while the contest versus the Billikens starts at 2 pm ET.