Ball State University Athletics
October 22, 2026 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. — The Ball State field hockey team returns to the Briner Sports Complex this weekend to close out the home portion of its 2026 regular season schedule. The Cardinals will battle Mid-American Conference (MAC) rival Ohio University on Friday, Oct. 23, followed by a non-conference matchup and Senior Day celebration against Queens University of Charlotte on Sunday, Oct. 25. Both games are scheduled for a noon ET start.
Weekend Schedule Overview
- Friday, Oct. 23 (12:00 PM ET): Ball State vs. Ohio University (MAC Match)
- Sunday, Oct. 25 (12:00 PM ET): Ball State vs. Queens University (Senior Day Celebration)
Scouting the Cardinals
Head coach Caitlin Walsh and her squad look to maximize home-turf advantage during this final doubleheader stretch in Muncie. Driven by key veteran leadership, Ball State aims to rebound fiercely from its recent homestand and build decisive momentum for the tail end of October. Sunday's finale will serve as the official platform to honor the graduating class for their years of dedication and contribution to the program.
The Matchups & All-Time Series History
Friday's meeting with the Bobcats carries heavy conference weight as both teams fight to secure vital standing points in the MAC race. Ohio University holds a 23-7 advantage over Ball State dating back to 2007, though the historical rivalry has been incredibly close over recent decades. The Cardinals have won three of the last four contests. Ohio won the last meeting on Oct. 10, 2025, in Athens by a score of 1-0. However, the Cardinals defeated the Bobcats the last time the two squads squared off in Muncie, securing a 2-1 overtime decision on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
Ball State will then shift its focus to Sunday's clash against the Royals. The all-time series between Ball State and Queens University sits deadlocked at 1-1. The Cardinals captured a dominant 7-0 victory in their initial meeting on Oct. 22, 2023, while Queens responded with a tight 3-2 overtime decision in Charlotte.
After this weekend, the Ball State field hockey team will play two contests in Louisville, Kentucky where they will face Bellarmine for its last MAC contest of the season on Thursday before ending the regular season with a a neutral site contest against Saint Louis on Friday. Both games are slated to begin at 3 pm ET.
