Ball State Field Hockey Topples Bellarmine in Overtime Thriller

Thursday, October 29

Louisville, KY

3 pm

Ball State University

(6-11, 3-6)

Bellarmine University

(3-14, 3-6)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Ball St.	0	0	0	1	1	2
Bellarmine	0	0	1	0	0	1

October 29, 2026 | Field Hockey

Box Score

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In a high-stakes, heart-stopping Mid-American Conference battle, the Ball State field hockey team (6-11, 3-6 MAC) extended its winning streak to three with a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory against MAC rival Bellarmine University (3-14, 3-6 MAC) today at Trager Stadium.

Showing incredible resilience, the Cardinals outlasted a gritty defensive stand from the Knights to claw out a massive conference victory on the road. Senior leader Julia Verratti blasted home the game-winner off a brilliant assist from Isabella Fölster at the 64-minute mark.

From the opening whistle, this match was a physical, defensive heavyweight fight. While the first half ended deadlocked at 0-0, Ball State dictated the tempo, unleashing an aggressive offensive barrage with six shots (four on goal) and three penalty corners. Despite controlling the turf, the Cardinals just couldn't find the back of the cage in the opening 30 minutes.

The second half cranked up the intensity, turning into an absolute clinic in goalkeeping and defensive grit. After withstanding a heavy wave of pressure from the Cardinals' frontline, Bellarmine broke the ice with a quick strike early in the third quarter. The Knights protected that fragile 1-0 lead all the way into the final minutes of regulation.

But the Cardinals refuse to quit. With the clock ticking down and the game on the line, playmaker Jade Vandevoorde did what she has done all season—delivering the perfect pass at the perfect moment. At the 55:17 mark, Vandevoorde found Ella Miller, who buried the equalizer to knot the game 1-1 and send the contest into a sudden-death extra period.

In overtime, Verratti's senior leadership took over to seal the epic comeback. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Carleigh Hofelich was an absolute wall, anchoring the Cardinals with a stellar eight-save performance.

The Cardinals will look to carry this roaring momentum into tomorrow afternoon, as they wrap up their regular-season schedule right here in Louisville with a neutral-site showdown against Saint Louis University.