Ball State University Athletics
Friday, September 18
Muncie, Ind.
1 pm
Ball State University
vs
James Madison University (Black Out Game)
Field Hockey Set to Open MAC Play Friday Against JMU; Hosts Michigan State on Sunday
September 17, 2026 | Field Hockey
MUNCIE, Ind. — The Ball State field hockey team is ready to defend its home turf at the Briner Sports Complex this weekend as it kicks off Mid-American Conference (MAC) action. The Cardinals will host James Madison University on Friday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m. ET for the highly anticipated annual Blackout Game. They will follow that with a matinee matchup against Big Ten foe Michigan State on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 12 p.m. ET for Youth Day.
Ball State enters the weekend riding a wave of defensive grit and early-season highlights. In their recent home opener against Indiana, junior forward/midfielder GiGi Ranoldo put the Cardinals on the board with a brilliant second-quarter goal off a well-executed penalty corner set up by Jade Vandevoorde and Lauren Lewis. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Carleigh Hofelich anchored the backline with a phenomenal, career-defining 19-save performance. This resilient defensive foundation has the Cardinals energized and ready to make a statement in the conference standings.
Friday's conference opener marks a competitive renewal of a tightly contested historic rivalry with James Madison. The Dukes hold a narrow 7-5 edge in the all-time series, which dates to 1980. While James Madison took the last meeting in October 2025, the Cardinals are focused on leveraging their home-field advantage to start the 2026 MAC schedule with a victory.
On Sunday, the homestand wraps up with another spectacular chapter in regional field hockey history against Michigan State. The all-time series between the Cardinals and the Spartans is razor-thin, with Michigan State holding a slight 15-13-2 advantage. The teams squared off last season in Muncie, resulting in a 5-1 win for the Spartans. Ball State will also welcome back Michigan State assistant coach and former field hockey Cardinal Emma Hilton on Sunday.
Fans attending Friday's match are encouraged to wear black t-shirts to show their support for the annual Blackout Game.
Ball State enters the weekend riding a wave of defensive grit and early-season highlights. In their recent home opener against Indiana, junior forward/midfielder GiGi Ranoldo put the Cardinals on the board with a brilliant second-quarter goal off a well-executed penalty corner set up by Jade Vandevoorde and Lauren Lewis. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Carleigh Hofelich anchored the backline with a phenomenal, career-defining 19-save performance. This resilient defensive foundation has the Cardinals energized and ready to make a statement in the conference standings.
Friday's conference opener marks a competitive renewal of a tightly contested historic rivalry with James Madison. The Dukes hold a narrow 7-5 edge in the all-time series, which dates to 1980. While James Madison took the last meeting in October 2025, the Cardinals are focused on leveraging their home-field advantage to start the 2026 MAC schedule with a victory.
On Sunday, the homestand wraps up with another spectacular chapter in regional field hockey history against Michigan State. The all-time series between the Cardinals and the Spartans is razor-thin, with Michigan State holding a slight 15-13-2 advantage. The teams squared off last season in Muncie, resulting in a 5-1 win for the Spartans. Ball State will also welcome back Michigan State assistant coach and former field hockey Cardinal Emma Hilton on Sunday.
Fans attending Friday's match are encouraged to wear black t-shirts to show their support for the annual Blackout Game.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Field Hockey
MF/D
/ Field Hockey
F/M
/ Field Hockey
F/MF
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