Field Hockey Travels to CMU Friday; Hosts Longwood on Sunday for #MACtion Weekend

Friday, September 25

Mount Pleasant, MI

1 pm

Ball State University

Central Michigan University

Field Hockey Travels to CMU Friday; Hosts Longwood on Sunday for #MACtion Weekend

September 23, 2026 | Field Hockey

MUNCIE, Ind. — The Ball State University field hockey team is gearing up for a pivotal weekend of Mid-American Conference action as they look to snap a four-game skid and get back on the winning track. The Cardinals will hit the road to face Central Michigan University on Friday, Sept. 25, before returning home to the Briner Sports Complex to host Longwood University on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Ball State (2-5, 0-1 MAC) enters the weekend determined to flip the script following a grueling home stretch. Despite showcasing immense defensive resilience and grit, the Cardinals dropped a hard-fought 3-1 decision to James Madison University in their conference opener, followed by a tight 4-1 loss against Big Ten foe Michigan State on Sunday. A spectacular second-quarter goal by senior forward Julia Verratti against the Spartans highlighted the team's offensive potential, but a crucial second-half video reversal ultimately halted the Cardinals' momentum. Head coach Caitlin Johnson's squad is now focused on translating their defensive toughness into complete, 60-minute victories.

The action begins Friday in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, where the Cardinals will clash with a familiar MAC rival in Central Michigan at 1 p.m. ET. Ball State and the Chippewas have shared a highly competitive history on the turf. While Central Michigan holds the historical upper hand in the long-running series, the Cardinals dominated the matchup in recent years, piecing together a five-game winning streak against CMU spanning from 2021 to 2024. The Chippewas managed to halt that streak in their last meeting on September 26, 2025, edging out the Cardinals in a narrow 2-1 battle.

On Sunday, the Cardinals return to the friendly confines of the Briner Sports Complex for a noon matinee against the Longwood Lancers. Longwood holds a slight 10-7 edge in the all-time series against Ball State, dating back to their first meeting in 2009. However, the Cardinals have proven to be a thorn in the side of the Lancers lately. When the two programs squared off last season on September 19, 2025, Ball State secured a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory in Farmville, Virginia, courtesy of a dramatic game-winning goal by former Cardinal Grace Clokie.

After this weekend, Ball State heads on the road for three-straight games at Appalachian State (Oct. 2), at Davidson (Oct. 4) and then at Kent State (Oct. 9).