Field Hockey Opens 2025 Season with Two Games at Home This Weekend

Ball State vs. #13 Ohio State (Friday) and Saint Louis (Sunday)
Ball State vs. Ohio State	Friday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. ET Live Video \| Live Stats
Ball State vs. Saint Louis	Sunday, Aug. 31 at 12 p.m. ET ESPN+ \| Live Stats
Game Promotion vs. Ohio State	Game Promotion vs. Saint Louis
Roster Card vs. Ohio State	Roster Card vs. Saint Louis
Social Media	X (Twitter) \| Instagram

MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State field hockey team is set to open its 2025 season with back-to-back home contests against The Ohio State University (Friday) and Saint Louis (Sunday). The Cardinals' game against the Buckeyes will begin at 4 pm ET, while the competition versus the Billikens starts at 12 pm ET. Both games will be played at the Briner Sports Complex.

Ball State will be under the direction of fourth-year head coach Caitlin Walsh and her assistant Brooke Richards along with graduate assistant Emily Crawford, both of which are entering their second year on staff with the Cardinals.

The Cardinals return 13 players from last year's squad including first team All-Mid-American Conference recipient Emma van Hal. Ball State will also welcome eight newcomers.

Ball State and Ohio State last met on Oct. 30, 2022, in Columbus which resulted in a 4-0 loss for the Cardinals. Ohio State has won 12 of the last 13 contests against Ball State. The Cardinals last defeated the Buckeyes by a 2-1 decision on Sept. 18, 2007, in Muncie, Ind. Ohio State was recently ranked 13th in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Division I National Coaches preseason poll.

On Sunday, the Cardinals will close out the weekend against Saint Louis. Ball State has won its last six contests against the Billikens including a 3-2 overtime victory in Saint Louis, Mo., on Sept. 11, 2024, after van Hal scored the game-winner in overtime. The last time the Cardinals fell to the Billikens was on Sept. 28, 2014, by a score of 4-3 in Muncie.

This weekend's game promotions will be Fan Appreciation Day on Friday against the Buckeyes and Meet The Team Day on Sunday with an autograph session following the contest versus Saint Louis.

Field Hockey Opens 2025 Season with Two Games at Home This Weekend

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Players Mentioned

Emma van Hal